Fansided

Worst NFL free agent signing for every team

By Russell S. Baxter

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Albert Hayesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins in action against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Albert Hayesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins in action against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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6 Sep 1998: Defensive lineman Sean Gilbert #94 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Erik Perel /Allspo
6 Sep 1998: Defensive lineman Sean Gilbert #94 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Erik Perel /Allspo /

Carolina Panthers: DT Sean Gilbert (1998)

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater signed a big deal in 2020 but was dealt to Denver this year in wake of the team trading for Sam Darnold. In 1998, Carolina signed defensive tackle Sean Gilbert to a seven-year, $46.5 million offer sheet (via Richard Justice of the Washington Post). Washington didn’t match the offer and the Panthers gave up a pair of first-round picks as compensation. He lasted five so-so seasons with the club but the price was too steep.

Chicago Bears: CB Thomas Smith (2000)

The Buffalo Bills made University of North Carolina cornerback Thomas Smith the 28th overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. He missed only two games in seven seasons with the club and was a 16-game starter five times. He opted to sign with Chicago in 2000 (via ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli) to the tune of a five-year deal worth $22.5 million. Again, he was a 16-game starter and came up with a career-best 67 tackles. But the Bears cut him after only one season.

Cincinnati Bengals: ILB Preston Brown (2018)

It’s been a different story ever since the team made five straight playoff appearances from 2011-15. The defense has been a major issue. The Bengals looked to bolster their linebacking corps via former Bills’ standout Preston Brown. He signed with the club in 2018 and despite playing in only seven contests, was re-upped by the club in ’19 (via Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports). Brown’s second season with the team lasted only nine games.

Cleveland Browns: WR Kenny Britt (2017)

In 2008, the Tennessee Titans owned the league’s best record at 13-3. A year later, the franchise made former Rutgers wideout Kenny Britt the 30th overall pick in the draft. He totaled 157 catches for 2,450 yards and 19 scores in five seasons. He was off to the Rams where he spent three years. In 2017, the Browns inked him to a four-year, $32.5 million deal. He played in only nine games and caught 18 passes for 233 yards and two TDs before being cut.

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