Every NFL team wants to believe they’re spending their money wisely. But the truth is that every roster has at least one player cashing checks that don’t quite match their on-field impact. Whether it’s a quarterback being paid like a superstar while riding the bench, a wide receiver collecting millions for a handful of catches, or a veteran lineman whose best years are long gone, bloated contracts are everywhere. So heading into the 2025 season, let’s break down the most overpaid player on every NFL team in alphabetical order.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray (QB)
Contract: 5 years, $230.5 million (about $46 million per year)
Murray carries a massive $43.3 million cap hit in 2025 (fifth-highest among all quarterbacks) despite real questions about his consistency and durability. He bounced back with a full season in 2024, throwing for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 93.5 passer rating. But the efficiency wasn’t quite there, and his PFF grade (66.5) reflected that. The year prior, he played just 8 games after returning from a torn ACL, and his history of lower-body injuries (hamstring, ankle) continues to raise red flags. The Cardinals are paying elite QB money for a player who hasn’t consistently played or performed at that level since his injury.
Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins (QB)
Contract: 4 years, $180 million (about $45 million per year)
The Falcons handed Cousins a $180 million deal in free agency, but less than a year later, he’s not even the starter. After returning from a torn Achilles in 2023, Cousins played 14 games in 2024 and threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions with an 88.6 passer rating, his worst since 2017. At age 36, his performance dipped noticeably, and the Falcons pivoted quickly by turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. Despite a $40 million cap hit in 2025, Cousins is now a high-priced backup, making his contract without a doubt a top 2 worst value contract in the league alongside Deshaun Watson.
Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley (LT)
Contract: 3 years, $60 million (about $20 million per year)
Despite years of injury concerns, the Ravens doubled down by signing 31-year-old Ronnie Stanley to a fresh 3-year, $60 million deal in 2025. While he stayed healthy and played all 17 games last season, his performance was far from elite. He ranked 39th among tackles in PFF grade (71.4), with a solid 79.6 in pass protection but a poor 64.0 run-blocking grade, plus 13 penalties. Stanley’s lengthy history of lower-body injuries, including ankle and knee problems, make this a risky investment at his age.
Buffalo Bills: Dawson Knox (TE)
Contract: 4 years, $39 million (about $9.8 million per year)
After signing a $39 million extension, Knox has quietly slipped into the background of Buffalo’s offense. He’s been the clear TE2 behind Dalton Kincaid over the past two seasons, and the numbers show it, posting just 311 yards and 1 touchdown in 2024, and 186 yards with 2 scores in 2023, despite logging over 600 snaps each year. His cap hit of over $14 million in 2025 takes up more than 5% of the Bills’ salary cap, a steep price for a player who’s become a low-volume target with minimal impact.
Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown (DE)
Contract: 4 years, $96 million (about $24 million per year)
Derrick Brown looked like a rising star after a dominant 2023 season where he set an NFL record for tackles by a defensive tackle (103), but his 2024 campaign came to a screeching halt after just one game. A meniscus injury in Week 1 landed him on injured reserve, raising real concerns about durability, especially following such a heavy workload the year before. Now entering 2025 with a hefty $18.7 million cap hit, Carolina is investing top-tier money in a player whose most recent season was a total loss. For a 320-pound interior lineman coming off a knee injury, the risk is significant. While the upside is clear, the Panthers are paying full price for production that’s suddenly in question.
Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
Contract: 4 years, $72 million (about $18 million per year)
Tremaine Edmunds has been a steady presence in Chicago’s defense, but the return hasn’t matched the price tag. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he posted solid tackle totals, 113 and 110 respectively, but made minimal impact in the pass rush (just 1 sack combined) and lacked consistent game-changing plays. For a linebacker with a cap hit approaching $19 million in 2025 (over 6% of the Bears’ salary cap) that’s a steep price for volume tackling alone. Edmunds was paid to be a centerpiece of the defense, but his limited disruption behind the line of scrimmage makes him feel more like a high-priced role player. In a league where elite linebackers are expected to shift momentum, Edmunds has yet to deliver that kind of value.
Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT)
Contract: 4 years, $64 million (about $16 million per year)
Orlando Brown Jr. is being paid like a franchise left tackle, but his recent play says otherwise. In 2024, he missed six games with knee and fibula injuries and struggled when on the field. His PFF grade plummeted to 58.2 (92nd among tackles), with a brutal 49.7 run-blocking grade that ranked 121st. He also allowed 3 sacks and committed 8 penalties. With a $15 million cap hit in 2025, Brown has become a pricey liability rather than a cornerstone. The Bengals are paying top-tier money for middle-of-the-pack play, and that’s when he’s healthy.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson (QB)
Contract: 5 years, $230 million (about $46 million per year)
This might be the worst contract in NFL history. Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million deal has delivered little more than headaches, injuries, and below-average quarterback play. He’s played in just 12 total games across two seasons with Cleveland, and his 2024 campaign ended with a torn Achilles after seven lackluster performances (1,148 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs). Even when healthy, he hasn’t come close to the Pro Bowl version the Browns thought they were getting. Now entering Year 3 with a $36 million cap hit and zero playoff appearances, the Browns are locked into a contract that’s become a financial anchor. Between the on-field regression and off-field baggage, no player in the league delivers less return for more money than Deshaun Watson.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott (QB)
Contract: 4 years, $240 million (about $60 million per year)
Dak Prescott enters 2025 with the highest cap hit in the entire NFL at over $50 million, and it couldn’t come at a worse time. He’s coming off a season-ending hamstring tear that required surgery, and before the injury, his performance was well below expectations: just 1,978 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, with a 67.9 PFF grade that ranked 43rd among quarterbacks. It’s a steep drop from his 2023 form, when he looked like a fringe MVP candidate. Now, the Cowboys are stuck carrying the league’s most expensive quarterback contract for a player who’s injured, aging, and trending in the wrong direction. For a team constantly battling cap space issues, Prescott’s 2025 number is a massive overpay, and a major roadblock to building a contender.
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson (QB)
Contract: 5 years, $242.5 million (about $48.5 million per year)
Russell Wilson may no longer be on the Broncos’ roster, but his contract is still haunting their salary cap. Denver signed him to a massive 5-year, $242.5 million extension in 2022, only to release him in 2024 after two disappointing seasons. Now, the team is carrying over $11. This remains one of the most expensive quarterback misfires in league history, and the Broncos are still paying for it (literally).
Detroit Lions: David Montgomery (RB)
Contract: 3 years, $18 million (about $6 million per year)
Montgomery has been a solid contributor for the Lions, but his $8.3 million cap hit in 2025 feels steep given his role. He rushed for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, following a 1,000-yard season in 2023, but his efficiency has been just average (4.2 YPC in 2024) and his receiving impact minimal. More importantly, he’s clearly the No. 2 option behind young, explosive back Jahmyr Gibbs. Paying top-15 RB money for a player who’s essentially a goal-line specialist and change-up back makes him the most overpaid player on Detroit’s not very overpaid roster.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Banks (G)
Contract: 4 years, $77 million (about $19.25 million per year)
The Packers made a surprising move by giving Aaron Banks a four-year, $77 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL. While only $27 million was guaranteed at signing, his $9 million cap hit in 2025 is still steep for a player with average production and shaky durability. In 2024, Banks earned a PFF grade of just 65.4 (50th among guards), with a poor 60.5 pass-blocking grade (77th). He missed four games with knee and concussion issues, after also dealing with toe and hip injuries in 2023. Despite flashes as a run blocker, Banks hasn’t shown consistent high-level play. Unless his performance takes a clear leap, this deal already looks like a major overpay for average play and questionable durability.
Houston Texans: Tytus Howard (RT)
Contract: 3 years, $56 million (about $18.7 million per year)
Tytus Howard is being paid like a top-tier right tackle, but his availability and consistency haven’t matched the investment. After signing a 3-year, $56 million extension in 2023, Howard has struggled to stay on the field, missing 10 games across the last two seasons due to a broken hand, a season-ending knee injury, and recurring hamstring issues. When healthy in 2024, he was serviceable, earning a 70.5 PFF grade (41st among tackles), with solid pass protection but subpar run blocking (58.9, 81st). For a projected $19.5 million cap hit in 2025, the Texans are absorbing elite-level cost for mid-level production and an extensive injury history. It’s a high-priced gamble on a player who’s been more durable in theory than in reality.
Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones (QB)
Contract: 1 year, $14.5 million
Daniel Jones didn’t play a single snap in 2024 while backing up in Minnesota, yet the Colts are paying him $14.5 million in 2025 to compete for a starting job. That’s a steep price for a quarterback with a torn ACL, neck issues, and years of up-and-down play on his résumé. His last real action came in 2023, when he threw for just 1,115 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in six games before going down. But beyond the money, this move raises an even bigger question: what does it say about the team’s belief in Anthony Richardson? Investing starter-level money in a veteran stopgap like Jones sends a clear signal, they don’t fully trust their former top-five pick to stay healthy or take the leap in year three.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Foyesade Oluokun (LB)
Contract: 4 years, $45 million (about $11.25 million per year)
Foye Oluokun racks up tackles like few others in the league, but Jacksonville’s recent four-year, $45 million extension (making him the eighth-highest paid off-ball linebacker) is a risky reward for a player whose overall impact doesn’t always match the volume. In 2024, he posted 108 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception across 13 games, but earned a middling 68.5 PFF grade, ranking just 65th among linebackers. He also missed time with a foot injury, raising durability concerns as he turns 30 during this deal. Oluokun is reliable in run support but doesn’t consistently excel in coverage or pass-rush situations, key areas for modern linebackers earning top-10 money. It’s a classic case of paying for box-score stats over true positional value.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jawaan Taylor (RT)
Contract: 4 years, $80 million (about $20 million per year)
The Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to anchor their offensive line, but through two seasons, he hasn’t lived up to the billing. While his durability has been a plus (starting every game since arriving) his performance has been marred by inconsistency and costly penalties. In 2024, Taylor led all offensive linemen in false starts for the second straight season. His PFF grades have hovered around average, and he’s struggled in pass protection against top-tier edge rushers. Despite being paid like a franchise tackle, Taylor has yet to deliver the elite-level performance Kansas City expected.
Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Wilkins (DT)
Contract: 4 years, $110 million (about $27.5 million per year)
The Raiders made a massive splash by signing Christian Wilkins in 2024, handing him the second-highest average salary among all defensive tackles. But so far, the return hasn’t matched the investment. At 29 years old, Wilkins has never made a Pro Bowl or earned All-Pro honors, and his production has rarely stood out among his peers. He’s never recorded a 10-sack season, never forced more than two fumbles in a year, and has yet to post a double-digit approximate value in any campaign. While he’s a solid run defender and brings energy to the interior line, he hasn’t shown the kind of game-wrecking dominance expected from someone being paid like a top-tier disruptor.
Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack (OLB)
Contract: 1 year, $18 million
At 34 years old, Khalil Mack is still a recognizable name, but the production hasn’t consistently matched the price tag. The Chargers are bringing him back in 2025 at $18 million, a steep number for a veteran edge rusher whose best years are clearly behind him. While Mack occasionally flashes with bursts of pass-rushing ability, he’s become more of a rotational player than an every-down force. He’s been held to fewer than 10 sacks in five of his last six seasons, and his impact in run defense has also declined. The Chargers are paying for past reputation rather than present value, and at this stage in his career, Mack’s contract looks like an overreach for limited, situational production.
Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Higbee (TE)
Contract: 2 years, $17 million (about $8.5 million per year)
Tyler Higbee’s $8.8 million cap hit in 2025 is a tough pill to swallow for a tight end coming off a near-lost season. He played just three games in 2024 before going down with a significant knee injury, finishing the year with only 66 yards. At 32 years old, Higbee’s durability is a growing concern. He’s dealt with repeated knee, shoulder, and calf issues in recent years. Even in 2023, a relatively healthy campaign, he managed a modest 495 yards and just two touchdowns. The Rams are now paying top-15 tight end money for a player whose best days are clearly behind him and whose availability is anything but reliable. With age, injuries, and declining production all working against him, Higbee’s contract stands out as a clear overpay.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
Contract: 5 years, $230 million (about $53 million per year)
Tua’s massive extension came without a single playoff win to his name, and it’s starting to look like a major gamble. He’s missed a lot of games due to injury and was banged up again in 2024, appearing in just 11 games. His numbers were solid but not spectacular, finishing with 2,867 yards and 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. For a quarterback making over $50 million per year, that’s not the kind of production you can bank on. With a growing injury history and shaky postseason resume, Miami is paying franchise QB money without getting franchise QB results.
Minnesota Vikings: T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Contract: 4 years, $66 million (about $16.5 million per year)
T.J. Hockenson’s $16.7 million cap hit in 2025 is the highest among all NFL tight ends. And right now, it looks like a major gamble. After tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16 of 2023, Hockenson missed the first half of the 2024 season and never fully regained form, finishing with 455 yards and zero touchdowns in 10 games. Though he still graded well overall (74.0 PFF, 9th among TEs), his production fell far short of elite compensation. More concerning is the injury history: multiple concussions, ankle and thumb issues, and now a devastating knee injury that threatens his long-term explosiveness. Hockenson is a talented pass-catcher when healthy, but paying top-of-the-market money for a player with declining durability and limited red-zone impact is a major risk.
New England Patriots: Michael Onwenu (G/T)
Contract: 3 years, $57 million (about $19 million per year)
Onwenu is a solid offensive lineman, but the Patriots paid him like a star. His new deal puts him among the top 10 highest-paid tackles in the NFL, despite zero Pro Bowl appearances and limited national recognition. A former sixth-round pick, Onwenu has been steady but far from elite. New England likely overpaid to stabilize its terrible offensive line, but $19 million per year for a dependable, non-elite lineman is a steep price for a team still rebuilding.
New Orleans Saints: Taysom Hill (TE/RB/QB)
Contract: 4 years, $40 million (about $10 million per year)
Taysom Hill’s 2025 cap hit of nearly $18 million is a striking figure given his unique role and injury history. Playing under a four-year, $40 million extension, Hill serves as a versatile gadget player rather than a traditional starter at quarterback, tight end, or running back. Despite his dynamic utility, his production is limited. He rushed for 278 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024 but totaled only 187 receiving yards with no receiving scores. His 2024 season was cut short by a season-ending ACL tear, adding to a long injury list that includes past knee, foot, rib, and elbow problems. While his creativity and athleticism have made him a valuable weapon, the Saints are paying starter-level money for a part-time player with durability concerns and modest overall output. At 35, this contract increasingly looks like a high-risk, low-reward gamble.
New York Giants: Paulson Adebo (CB)
Contract: 4 years, $50 million (about $12.5 million per year)
Paulson Adebo commands a significant salary despite a troubling injury history and inconsistent on-field impact. In 2024, injuries limited him to just seven games. While he showed flashes, recording 3 interceptions and 10 passes defensed, his overall PFF grade of 63.3 ranked well below average (97th among cornerbacks). Recurring hamstring, ankle, and knee injuries dating back to 2022 have repeatedly curtailed his availability. Although Adebo produced solid moments in 2023, the Giants are investing heavily in a player who struggles to stay healthy and deliver consistent top-tier performance.
New York Jets: Michael Carter II (CB)
Contract: 3 years, $30.75 million (about $10.25 million per year)
Michael Carter II’s new contract cements him as the highest-paid slot cornerback in the league, a significant financial commitment from the Jets that extends through the 2027 season. Despite this, Carter’s 2024 production has been underwhelming. Playing just 32% of defensive snaps over 13 games (limited due to injury), he logged only 24 solo tackles and failed to generate turnovers. While his size and athleticism are promising, Carter remains more of a rotational player than a difference-maker.
Philadelphia Eagles: Bryce Huff (DE)
Contract: 3 years, $51.1 million (about $17 million per year)
The Eagles have built a reputation for smart, forward-thinking roster construction, but the Bryce Huff signing hasn’t panned out as hoped. After a breakout 2023 with the Jets, Huff was brought in to add explosiveness off the edge, but his first year in Philly was a major letdown. He played in just 12 games and recorded only 2.5 sacks, struggling to carve out a consistent role in a crowded defensive front. At $17 million per year, he’s now among the highest-paid edge rushers in the league, yet his production has been more in line with a rotational pass rusher than a front-line starter.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers (QB)
Contract: 1 year, $13.65 million
I’m not hopping on the Aaron Rodgers hype train. And despite being a one year deal, this is clearly the Steelers worst contract simply because it keeps them as a mediocre team. At 42 years old and coming off a season-ending Achilles tear in 2023, Rodgers’ best days are clearly behind him. Sure, it’s not a huge financial risk since it’s just a one-year deal, but the bigger question is the risk to winning: can he still perform at a high level or not? The Steelers are essentially betting on his veteran savvy and leadership more than guaranteed elite play, making his value to the team uncertain heading into what could be his final NFL season.
San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams (LT)
3 years, $82.66 million (about $27.55 million per year)
Trent Williams signed a massive three-year, $82.66 million contract extension with the 49ers, including $48 million fully guaranteed at signing and a $25.69 million signing bonus. This deal ended his training camp holdout and made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL on an average annual salary basis. Williams remains an elite left tackle, posting an 85.6 PFF grade in 2024, ranking 6th among his peers. However, at 37 years old, and with a history of ankle injuries that sidelined him for seven games in 2023, his contract is a significant gamble. While his talent justifies a premium, the 49ers face the risk of declining availability and performance as he enters the final years of his career.
Seattle Seahawks: Uchenna Nwosu (LB)
Contract: 3 years, $45 million (about $15 million per year)
Injuries have dramatically limited linebacker Uchenna Nwosu’s impact in recent seasons. After a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 7 of 2023, he battled knee, thigh, and wrist issues that restricted him to just six games in 2024, where he managed only 14 tackles and 1 sack. His overall PFF grade of 63.0 ranked near the bottom among edge defenders, reflecting a significant decline from expectations. Having played only 12 games over two seasons, durability remains a major concern. The Seahawks are paying for a player who has struggled to stay healthy and deliver consistent production, making his contract a bit questionable.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamel Dean (CB)
Contract: 4 years, $52 million (about $13 million per year)
The six-year veteran struggled mightily in 2023, routinely getting beaten in coverage and failing to assert himself as a true No. 1 option in the Buccaneers’ secondary. Even more concerning is his lack of game-changing impact. Over the last three seasons combined, Dean has totaled just three interceptions and a modest number of pass breakups. While he’s flashed solid physical traits in the past, his on-field performance has been inconsistent at best and disappointing at worst. Tampa Bay’s secondary has leaned heavily on young talent, but Dean was expected to be the reliable veteran cornerstone. Instead, he’s become an expensive liability, often targeted and exploited by opposing quarterbacks.
Tennessee Titans: Calvin Ridley (WR)
Contract: 4 years, $92 million (about $23 million per year)
Calvin Ridley was brought in to be the Titans’ go-to weapon, but his production hasn’t quite lived up to the price tag. In 2024, he recorded 64 catches for 1,017 yards and just 4 touchdowns: good numbers, but far from elite. His PFF grade of 73.1 ranked 40th among receivers, and he failed to consistently create separation or dominate matchups. Though he’s posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, his output has been more in line with a strong WR2 than a high-paid WR1. At age 30 and with a history of soft-tissue injuries, Ridley’s deal feels more like a bet on past flashes than sustained top-tier production.
Washington Commanders: Marshon Lattimore (CB)
Contract: 5 years, $97.6 million (about $19.5 million per year)
Once considered one of the league’s premier cornerbacks, Marshon Lattimore’s career has been derailed by injuries in recent years. Despite earning four Pro Bowl nods earlier in his career, he’s managed to appear in just 26 games over the past three seasons. Multiple lower-body injuries, including ankle and abdominal issues, have kept him sidelined and limited his explosiveness when he’s been on the field. The Commanders are banking on a return to form, but that’s far from a sure thing. If he can’t stay healthy, this deal could quickly become a liability for a franchise still trying to rebuild its defense.
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