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It's fair to say every NFL team has had a few free agent deals they lived to regret. Yes, even the Denver Broncos have had their fair share of mistakes in the past number of years.
In fact, three free agent signings ended up on Bleacher Report's list of the NFL's biggest free agent busts of all-time. All three of the Broncos' signings came inside the top 20, showing just how bad the deals were.
Coming in at No. 18 is cornerback Dale Carter. Carter signed a four-year, $22.8 million deal in 1999, the biggest cornerback deal in league history at the time. He only played one full year (14 games) in orange and blue. Carter was found guilty of violating the NFL's substance abuse policy several times, leading to his release from Denver after the 2000 season.
At No. 11 was pass rusher Randy Gregory. Gregory's contract was for five years, $70 million, with a $10 million signing bonus and $28 million guaranteed. Gregory only lasted one season and change in orange and blue before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October 2023. Gregory only made 21 tackles in a Bronco uniform, starting only six games.
Just above Gregory, coming in at No. 10, is the second-worst contract in Broncos history: offensive lineman Ju'Wuan James. James came to the Broncos as someone who could not seem to remain healthy, yet he was given a four-year, $51 million ($32 million guaranteed) contract. James did what he did best: stay off the field. James started three games for Denver in 2019 before the injury bug bit him, and he was out for the rest of the year. In 2020, James opted not to play during the COVID-19 season. Before the 2021 season, James ruptured his Achilles' heel, leading Denver to place him on the non-football injury list and release him. He only played one more game in his career, with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Also making Bleacher Report's list were two Broncos who moved to different teams: quarterback Brock Osweiler (Houston Texans in 2016) and defensive lineman Malik Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles in 2019). You can check out the entire list on B/R's website.
Despite these swings and misses, the Broncos have come out all right, and are projected to be frontrunners in the AFC going into 2026.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL free agency: 3 ex-Broncos made list of all-time worst signings
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In fact, three free agent signings ended up on Bleacher Report's list of the NFL's biggest free agent busts of all-time. All three of the Broncos' signings came inside the top 20, showing just how bad the deals were.
Coming in at No. 18 is cornerback Dale Carter. Carter signed a four-year, $22.8 million deal in 1999, the biggest cornerback deal in league history at the time. He only played one full year (14 games) in orange and blue. Carter was found guilty of violating the NFL's substance abuse policy several times, leading to his release from Denver after the 2000 season.
At No. 11 was pass rusher Randy Gregory. Gregory's contract was for five years, $70 million, with a $10 million signing bonus and $28 million guaranteed. Gregory only lasted one season and change in orange and blue before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October 2023. Gregory only made 21 tackles in a Bronco uniform, starting only six games.
Just above Gregory, coming in at No. 10, is the second-worst contract in Broncos history: offensive lineman Ju'Wuan James. James came to the Broncos as someone who could not seem to remain healthy, yet he was given a four-year, $51 million ($32 million guaranteed) contract. James did what he did best: stay off the field. James started three games for Denver in 2019 before the injury bug bit him, and he was out for the rest of the year. In 2020, James opted not to play during the COVID-19 season. Before the 2021 season, James ruptured his Achilles' heel, leading Denver to place him on the non-football injury list and release him. He only played one more game in his career, with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Also making Bleacher Report's list were two Broncos who moved to different teams: quarterback Brock Osweiler (Houston Texans in 2016) and defensive lineman Malik Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles in 2019). You can check out the entire list on B/R's website.
Despite these swings and misses, the Broncos have come out all right, and are projected to be frontrunners in the AFC going into 2026.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL free agency: 3 ex-Broncos made list of all-time worst signings
Continue reading...
