In the NFL, contracts often focus more on what players might achieve than what they actually do. This can lead to some poor financial choices for teams. Teams often spend a lot of money on players based on their past successes or hopes for their future performance, only to end up with high salaries for players who don’t deliver.
Here’s a look at six NFL players who are considered overpaid as of 2024, showing the gap between their contracts and their performance on the field.
6. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
Daron Payne’s four-year, $90 million contract, which has $55 million guaranteed, has not resulted in the expected performance on the field. He had a good 2022 season with 11.5 sacks, but his numbers fell sharply in 2023, dropping to only four sacks. His current performance suggests that the Commanders are paying him like a key defensive player, but he is not producing at that level, which raises concerns about the Commanders’ investment in him.
5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Undoubtedly, Cooper Kupp is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but his injury history raises doubts about his value. His three-year, $80 million contract, which includes $75 million guaranteed, makes him one of the highest-paid receivers. However, he has missed 13 games over the last two seasons due to injuries, which makes it hard to justify such a large contract, given that he isn’t on the field.
4. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
In 2020, the New Orleans Saints finalized a five-year extension valued at $75 million with Alvin Kamara, a two-time All-Pro player. This amount seems too high, especially since he has never rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season. While he is still a good receiver, the market for running backs shows that his pay is much higher than similar players. As teams look for cheaper options at running back, Kamara’s contract seems like a big overpayment.
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3. Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Trevon Diggs was given a $97 million contract after an impressive season in 2021. However, his play has declined since then. He didn’t perform well in 2022 and suffered an ACL injury early in 2023, making it hard for him to show the same playmaking skills he once had. His current ranking among cornerbacks is low, which suggests that the Cowboys may have overvalued him for the long term.
2. Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
After having a surprisingly good season in 2022, Daniel Jones received a four-year, $160 million contract. However, his performances after that have raised doubts about whether he deserves such a large deal. In 2023, he started the season poorly and then suffered a torn ACL. The Giants are in a tough spot because they want to bring in good players to support him, but his high salary makes this difficult, especially since it will increase over the next three years.
1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson’s guaranteed contract of $230 million is frequently mentioned as one of the worst in the NFL. He signed this deal in 2022 to be the team’s main quarterback, but he has not performed as expected. He has faced injuries and suspensions, missing 39 games over the last three seasons. Currently, he is not even in the top 20 for important passing stats, making his big contract a heavy burden for the Browns.
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