These NFL Teams MASSIVELY Overpaid in Free Agency (2026 Worst Contracts)

NFL Free Agency always creates massive contracts… but sometimes teams massively overpay.

In this episode of Big Game Energy, we break down the 3 worst contracts of the 2026 NFL Free Agency period and explain why these deals could age terribly.

We discuss:

The New England Patriots signing Elijah Vera-Tucker despite major injury concerns

The Indianapolis Colts paying Alec Pierce like a WR1

The New Orleans Saints giving Travis Etienne a huge running back contract

Plus our honorable mentions, including Bradley Chubb and Tyler Linderbaum.

Which NFL team made the biggest mistake in free agency?

Drop your answer in the comments 👇

If you enjoy NFL debates, hot takes, and fun sports conversations, make sure to subscribe to Big Game Energy for weekly episodes.

00:00 Worst Deals in 2026 Free Agency
00:30 Patriots Overpay Vera-Tucker
01:41 Colts Big Bet on Alec Pierce
03:41 Saints Sign Travis Etienne
05:04 Honorable Mentions Rapid Fire


#NFL #NFLFreeAgency #NFLNews #NFLHotTakes #FootballTalk #BigGameEnergy

Transcript

Speaker 0:00

There were some terrible contracts given out in the NFL this week, and we're going to give you. The three worst contracts signed in free agency in the 2026 off season. now James? We have three names. Now we feel that these contracts were disgusting and undeserving despite how crazy the market is nowadays and how the salary cap jumped up. These three players were drastically overpaid.

Speaker 2 0:30

My worst signing man is gonna be Elijah Vera Tucker, man. Going to the Patriots. Because I always say Spence man, the best ability is what? Availability. And for a guy who's missed 42 games outta 85, yeah. He might've played five years with the jet, Does the signing for the need work for the Patriots? It does, but if he ain't on the field. What the hell is he gonna be doing? And I know there's upside spin, but guess what, man? In a gambling world, hey man, sometimes you're gonna lose and sometimes you're gonna win. I just don't see this working out as the goal is to protect Drake May after last year's Super Bowl, and I just don't see that if Tucker is not on that field.

Speaker 1:09

Yeah, you said it, James. Availability is the best ability that you can have. Yeah. Now it, it may be a little bit easier to stomach for Patriots fans whenever you realize that Yeah, it's three years, 42 million, but only 21 of that is fully guaranteed, but a three year contract, that means that you are tied to him. For at least two seasons. So you better get some productive play. And maybe he does get better when he is out of that. Oh, hole up there in East Rutherford, no one even cares about the New York Jets.

Speaker 2 1:40

Right.

Speaker 1:41

The second worst contract of free agency was one of the biggest names heading into free agency. Alec Pierce resigning with the Indianapolis Colts for four years,$116 million, 84 million of which is guaranteed. Now, I don't think Alec Pierce is a bad player. He had less than 50 catches and more than a thousand yards averaged over 20 yards of catch each of the last two seasons. He is a big play guy. However, when you are going to be making. 28 and a half million dollars on average. Mm-hmm. That puts you as the 11th highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, which, okay, he's not top 10. That probably feels like it's about right, but then you start looking at the names of guys that he is going to be making more than, jaylen Waddle.

Speaker 2 2:36

Ooh,

Speaker 2:36

DJ Moore. Jameson Williams. Devonte Smith, Nico Collins,

Speaker 2 2:43

God

Speaker 2:44

Cortland Sutton, and Devonte Adams. Now, guys like George Pickens are also making less than Alec Pierce. I'm sure he was ecstatic when Alec Pierce signed this contract.'cause he's gonna be like, Hey, gimme more than that. But for the Colts to give this much money to Alec Pierce, so much so that it forced them to trade. Michael Pitman, who was arguably their true wide receiver, won each of the last two seasons. I just truly think that this Alec Pierce contract is insane and. Unless he has a 60 catch 1200 yard season next year, it will not be worth this money.

Speaker 2 3:24

Yeah, no, I totally agree. A one hit wonder in my eye at the moment. Yeah, 41 47 catches a thousand yards is great. But you mentioned, I thought he was wide receiver two and he's getting paid as wide receiver one. Yeah, that's falling off the wagon on that for the cols. Spence, man. Let's wrap this thing up, man. I thought another worst signing for me is the former Jaguar going to the New Orleans Saints, Travis etn, man on a, that four year 52 do million dollars contract. Now, my reason why I hate this is because I get it, you want to go get your bag, but when you decide to go from the Jaguars who. You had, you know, you had opportunities to maybe be a contender to go to the Saints now. I just don't like that. I don't like that for them. I don't think tra do I think Travis et N's a better player? A good player? Yeah. You know, what does that do with Alvin Cama? We'll find out later, but when his deal is almost as close as the Super Bowl MV. That's where I think the Saints paid a little bit, way too much because I mean, hey, running backs are, you know how we call it. They're interchangeable. It seems like. Didn't think you need to pay a high premium for a guy who been inconsistent at his time with the Jaguars.

Speaker 4:36

No, absolutely. He was someone that struggles running between the tackles. Moving to a scheme with the Saints, and I like Kellen more a lot, but I think that's probably a worse offensive line unit than he had in Jacksonville. Mm-hmm. And a four year deal, that's a long time for a running back, and that's a big number like you said. So I'm with you there. I think Travis ETN is a good, not great player.

Speaker 2 5:04

honorable mention for me is Bradley Chubb going to the bills just because as we mentioned, I think the bills signed this guy a little bit more expensively because of the name that he brought and the baggage that he had previously with the, the Broncos and the dolphins. But just a guy who's making that much money and his. Pass rate was 82nd in the NFL, that's pretty low for a guy. You're paying pretty high. At least guys like Joey Bosa, who you barely signed last year, he was 23rd in pass rate success. So Bradley Joe, better step up. If not, again, it's another two year thing on maybe not getting the production you.

Speaker 5:40

My honorable mention is actually a player I think is a very, very, very good player, arguably best at his position. But Tyler Linder Baum, I'm sorry. I think he's a good player and he very well might be the best center in all of football. But for him to make$27 million a season when the next closest center, creed Humphrey of the Chiefs is making$18 million. I get it. Tyler Linder Baum is an elite talent. He is arguably the best center in the league, but he should not be making 33% more. Then the next closest center, creed Humphrey. It's a crazy contract and it's a good thing that the Raiders are gonna have Fernando Mendoza on a rookie contract. And I guess that's why it benefits having a rookie contract for a quarterback, because you can give out crazy contracts like this to all the guys that you need to support him.

Speaker 2 6:33

and another honorable mention for me, not'cause of the dollar wise, a guy who I thought wanted to be his own RB one, Tyler Algire, going to the Cardinals, going back, being RB two behind Baja Robinson, which we understand, but going to a situation where you're. In the mix with James Connor, Trey Benson, and I forget the other running back's name, but

Speaker 6:52

Amari De Mecado.

Speaker 2 6:54

Yeah. So then there's four guys in that, running back room So I just find it odd that, he didn't go out and maybe could have got like a Rico doll, you know he's gonna be the RB one. I wish Tyler Algi would've done that for himself.

Speaker 7:06

I thought he would've been a great fit to replace Kenneth Walker up in Seattle.

Speaker 2 7:10

Could have been,

Speaker 7:11

but y'all let us know in the comments what was the worst contract that was given out in NFL Free Agency, this off season. Let us know down below and we'll see you next time on Big Game Energy.

Speaker 2 7:23

Anyone who signs with the Jets is probably a horrible ass of signing.

Speaker 7:28

Shout out Gino.

Speaker 2 7:30

Shout out Mika Fit. Patrick, I