Free agency is a risk/reward business. Sometimes you win and sometimes you get stung. As the 2019 free-agency market approaches, a look at how some of the deals turned out five years ago.
Brandon Weeden
The quarterback out of Oklahoma State was signed by the Dallas Cowboys after two years in Cleveland. What could go wrong? The deal didn’t quite work out as he went winless in four starts for the Lone Star.
Aqib Talib
The defensive back who missed winning a Super Bowl with the Rams joined the Denver Broncos in 2014. He received a six-year, $57 million deal. Talib played in 58 games over four seasons and had 11 picks and six TDs.
DeMarcus Ware
The defensive linemen left the Dallas Cowboys for the Mile High City, enticed by a three-year, $30 million offer. Ware played 37 games in three seasons with the Broncos and notched 21.5 of his career 138.5 sacks. He was a member of the 2015 team that won the Super Bowl.
Golden Tate
The Seattle Seahawks’ wideout opted to split for the Motor City. Purely on wins and losses the move didn’t make sense. It made dollars and cents, though, when you consider he received a five-year deal for $31 million. Tate caught 423 passes for the Lions in four-plus years. He was dealt to the Eagles at the trade deadline in 2018.
Ted Ginn Jr.
Things did not quite pan out for Arizona and Ted Ginn Jr. The fleet wideout lasted all of one season after signing a three-year deal. He did not start at any point and caught all of 14 passes for 190 yards. He has done considerably better with Carolina and New Orleans.
Steve Smith Sr.
The talented wideout left the Carolina Panthers for the Baltimore Ravens and a three-year, $11 million contract. Smith was a beast in Baltimore, concluding his career with a total of 195 receptions, 2,534 yards and 14 TDs.
Sam Shields
Sam Shields signed a four-year deal with the Packers. However, injury limited him to two years plus one game in 2016. He missed the 2017 season before making a comeback with the Rams in 2017.
Vontae Davis
Vontae Davis did not leave his team, choosing to re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts for four years and $39 million. He stayed in Indy, only playing five games in his final season of 2017. Davis then moved to Buffalo, where he famously exited the game at halftime of a Bills tilt.
Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis
The New England Patriots looked to boost their secondary through free agency in 2014. They spent nearly $30 million to land Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis. Browner wound up in New Orleans by 2015. He’s now in prison. Revis no longer ruled the secondary as he did during his Revis Island years and was off to the Jets for a second run in 2015. They each did earn as Super Bowl ring with the Pats as Malcolm Butler saved the day.
Malcolm Jenkins
The Eagles did right signing Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25 million contract. He still patrols — and rules — the secondary for the Birds. Jenkins came to Philly from New Orleans.
Eric Decker
Wide receiver Eric Decker was lured to the New York Jets with a five-year, $36.25 million deal. Decker had played his first four years in Denver. As a member of Gang Green, he played two seasons and three games, catching 163 balls and 19 touchdowns. He was a big part of the offense until derailed by injury.
Rodger Saffold
Good fortune smiled on the Rams when Rodger Saffold failed his physical after signing with the Oakland Raiders. The Rams, then of St. Louis, were more than happy to keep their offensive lineman for five years. He’s looking at free agency again as part of the class of 2019.
Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell began his career in Oakland, moved to Carolina and then was signed to a five-year contract by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The DB started 60 of 61 games for Pittsburgh before turning up in Indianapolis in 2018.
Michael Oher
The athlete who was the story behind “The Blind Side” left the Baltimore Ravens for the four-year, $20 million contract from the Tennessee Titans. Things didn’t pan out as he only played 11 games. He was waived after suffering a toe injury during a disappointing season.
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