NFL groups not often admit they’re playing throughout the offseason. Each questionable contract is offered as a calculated funding, and each growing older veteran supposedly has loads left within the tank. Optimism is affordable in July.
A few of these choices might 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 shifting on from Tua Tagovailoa, nevertheless 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 fame behind Jordan Love in Green Bay. Nonetheless, there’s a canyon between wanting promising in restricted appearances and turning 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 primarily based 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 grow to be one of many NFL’s greatest surprises in 2025. Then he tore his Achilles in December, and the Colts’ season promptly fell aside.
Their response was to provide him a two-year, $88 million contract.
Jones will obtain $50 million in 2026 whereas making an attempt to return from probably the most critical accidents a quarterback can endure. 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 damage. Sadly, there is no such thing as a assure they may get the identical quarterback again.
1. Steelers delay their future for Aaron Rodgers
Pittsburgh received 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 price as much as $25 million.
Rodgers has already confirmed this might be his closing season. That makes Pittsburgh’s resolution Tremendous Bowl or bust, whether or not the group makes use of these phrases or not.
Will Howard remains to be ready for a official alternative after lacking invaluable time throughout his rookie season. The Steelers then used the 76th general decide on Drew Allar, including one other attainable successor who now sits behind Rodgers.
Giving a franchise legend one closing journey might be comprehensible. Rodgers shouldn’t be that in Pittsburgh. He spent practically twenty 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 might be justified. If Pittsburgh suffers one other early exit, it would 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.
