NFL groups hardly ever admit they’re playing in the course of the offseason. Each questionable contract is introduced as a calculated funding, and each growing older veteran supposedly has a lot left within the tank. Optimism is affordable in July.
A few of these choices could ultimately work. For now, although, these three stand out because the NFL’s worst offseason choices.
3. Dolphins assure Malik Willis $45 million
Miami wanted a quarterback after transferring on from Tua Tagovailoa, however it paid Malik Willis like a confirmed starter.
The Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract containing $45 million totally assured. He earned the chance after rebuilding his repute behind Jordan Love in Green Bay. Nonetheless, there’s a canyon between wanting promising in restricted appearances and changing into the face of an offense for 17 video games.
Willis has began solely a handful of NFL contests. Miami primarily handed him two assured seasons based mostly on potential that has appeared briefly bursts. Maybe the Dolphins unearthed a late-blooming franchise quarterback. They’re paying as if the thriller has already been solved.
2. Colts hand Daniel Jones an $88 million contract
Daniel Jones helped Indianapolis develop into one of many NFL’s largest surprises in 2025. Then he tore his Achilles in December, and the Colts’ season promptly fell aside.
Their response was to present him a two-year, $88 million contract.
Jones will obtain $50 million in 2026 whereas trying to return from one of the vital critical accidents a quarterback can undergo. Indianapolis was understandably reluctant to lose him after lastly discovering some stability, however $44 million per season is a gigantic reward for one productive marketing campaign.
The Colts paid to protect what labored earlier than the harm. Sadly, there isn’t any assure they may get the identical quarterback again.
1. Steelers delay their future for Aaron Rodgers
Pittsburgh gained the AFC North with Aaron Rodgers final season. That accomplishment deserves credit score. However we can also’t ignore the ugly ending.
Rodgers threw for 146 yards in Pittsburgh’s 30-6 playoff loss to Houston. He additionally dedicated two turnovers that have been returned for touchdowns. The Steelers responded by bringing the 42-year-old quarterback again on a one-year contract value as much as $25 million.
Rodgers has already confirmed this will likely be his remaining season. That makes Pittsburgh’s choice Tremendous Bowl or bust, whether or not the group makes use of these phrases or not.
Will Howard remains to be ready for a respectable alternative after lacking beneficial time throughout his rookie season. The Steelers then used the 76th general choose on Drew Allar, including one other potential successor who now sits behind Rodgers.
Giving a franchise legend one remaining journey will be comprehensible. Rodgers just isn’t that in Pittsburgh. He spent almost 20 years constructing his legacy with Inexperienced Bay and has performed just one season for the Steelers. Pittsburgh doesn’t owe him a ceremonial farewell.
If Rodgers carries the Steelers deep into the playoffs, the gamble will likely be justified. If Pittsburgh suffers one other early exit, it’ll have sacrificed a full season of evaluating Howard and growing Allar for a goodbye tour that by no means belonged to the franchise within the first place.
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