As the 2025 NFL regular season winds down, it's clear that not every offseason move panned out the way teams had hoped. Whether it was a high-priced free agent signing or a splashy trade, some decisions just flat-out missed the mark.
Injuries played a role in many of these misfires, but others simply failed to live up to expectations on the field. Here's a deep dive into 25 of the most disappointing moves from this season - a reminder that even in a league built on parity and planning, not every gamble pays off.
Bears Bet Big on Defense, But Came Up Short
Grady Jarrett’s arrival in Chicago was supposed to be a stabilizing force up front. Instead, the veteran defensive tackle has struggled to make an impact, logging just 22 tackles in 10 games - and no sacks or hurries. That’s not what you expect from a player on a three-year, $43.5 million deal.
Then there’s Dayo Odeyingbo, who was brought in to bolster the edge. The Bears handed him a three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, expecting disruption off the edge.
But before a torn Achilles ended his season, he managed just 21 tackles and one sack in eight games. Between the two, Chicago invested heavily in its front seven - and got minimal return.
Buffalo’s Free Agent Fixes Fall Flat
The Bills went shopping for help on both sides of the ball, but the returns have been underwhelming.
Josh Palmer was brought in to upgrade the wide receiver room, but injuries derailed his debut season. He caught just 18 passes in eight games, slowed by ankle and knee issues. Not ideal for a player with $18 million guaranteed.
On defense, the reunion with Tre'Davious White hasn’t gone smoothly either. Once a cornerstone of Buffalo’s secondary, White hasn’t looked like his old self after rejoining the team on a $6.8 million deal. His struggles in coverage have been noticeable - and costly.
Broncos Miss the Mark at Tight End
Denver hoped Evan Engram would be a mismatch weapon in the passing game, but the production hasn’t matched the paycheck. Engram has 40 catches for 347 yards and just one touchdown through 14 weeks. For $23 million over two years, the Broncos were expecting a little more juice.
Reddick’s Reset Doesn’t Take in Tampa
After a forgettable year with the Jets, Haason Reddick looked to bounce back in Tampa Bay. But the resurgence never came. With just 1.5 sacks through Week 14 - despite $12 million guaranteed - the Bucs are still searching for answers off the edge.
Cardinals Get Little Push from Tomlinson
Dalvin Tomlinson was signed to anchor Arizona’s defensive line, but he’s barely made a dent. In 13 starts, he’s posted just 19 tackles, one hurry, and no sacks. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player on a two-year, $29 million deal.
Chargers’ Offensive Additions Backfire
The Chargers took a swing on Mekhi Becton, hoping the former first-rounder had turned a corner after a solid 2024 in Philly. But in L.A., Becton has struggled to protect Justin Herbert, and the offensive line issues have persisted.
Meanwhile, the backfield experiment with Najee Harris flamed out fast. Signed to a one-year deal with $5.25 million guaranteed, Harris played just three games and 43 snaps before a torn Achilles ended his season. Tough break for both player and team.
Chiefs’ Depth Signing Fizzles
Kansas City didn’t need Kristian Fulton to be a star - just a solid rotational piece. But even that hasn’t materialized.
Fulton has appeared in only four games due to injury after signing a two-year, $20 million contract. The Chiefs’ top corners have carried the load, but Fulton’s absence has left depth concerns.
Commanders’ Defensive Investments Come Up Empty
Washington made a pair of notable defensive signings - and neither has delivered.
Will Harris was brought in on a two-year deal worth up to $10 million, but a fractured leg limited him to just five games.
Then there’s Javon Kinlaw, who signed a three-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. Despite playing in 13 games, Kinlaw has failed to generate pressure, with only four hurries and no sacks to his name.
49ers’ Emergency WR Plan Falls Short
With Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined, San Francisco needed help at wide receiver. Demarcus Robinson was the answer - or at least, that was the plan.
But through 10 games, he’s managed just 13 catches. A two-year deal for that kind of production doesn’t exactly scream value.
Giants’ Free Agency Splash Fails to Deliver
New York spent big in the offseason, but the returns haven’t matched the investment.
Paulson Adebo signed a three-year, $54 million deal to shore up the secondary, but injuries and inconsistent play have limited his impact. In eight games, he’s allowed a 65% completion rate.
Chauncey Golston, another defensive addition, has barely seen the field due to a neck injury. In six games, he’s recorded just eight tackles and no sacks.
And then there’s Russell Wilson. The veteran quarterback’s stint in New York was short and forgettable.
He started three games - all losses - after signing a one-year, $10.5 million deal. Given his recent track record, it wasn’t exactly a surprise, but it was still a miss.
Jaguars’ Offensive Additions Underwhelm
Jacksonville brought in Dyami Brown hoping for a breakout. But the former Washington receiver has remained a role player, with 19 catches for 219 yards and one touchdown through Week 14 - not quite what the team envisioned when they handed him $10 million.
On defense, Emmanuel Ogbah was added as a rotational pass rusher, but he’s barely made an impact. Just two hurries and half a sack in 11 games - not the kind of production that moves the needle.
Jets’ Quarterback Gamble Backfires
The Jets rolled the dice on Justin Fields, signing him to a two-year, $30 million deal. The hope was that he could finally find consistency in a new environment.
Instead, Fields went 2-7 as a starter with a 38.1 QBR. Another quarterback swing - and another miss - in New York.
Panthers Lose Jones Early
Patrick Jones was supposed to help revitalize Carolina’s pass rush, but his season was over almost before it began. After signing a two-year, $20 million deal, Jones played just four games before undergoing season-ending back surgery. He recorded one sack and nine tackles before the injury.
Raiders’ Reunion with Geno Smith Goes South
Las Vegas reunited Geno Smith with Pete Carroll and even gave him a two-year extension worth $66.5 million guaranteed after acquiring him for a third-round pick. But the results haven’t followed.
Smith has thrown 14 interceptions and posted a 32.5 QBR in 13 games. The reunion has been more nostalgia than success.
Saints Swing and Miss on Familiar Faces
The Saints brought back Brandin Cooks on a two-year deal, hoping the veteran could rekindle some of his early-career magic. Instead, he was waived before Thanksgiving after failing to make an impact.
Justin Reid was brought in to replace Tyrann Mathieu, and while he’s been active, the results in coverage have been rough. Opposing quarterbacks have posted a 108.6 passer rating and a 73% completion rate when targeting him.
Steelers Trade for a Name, Not the Game
Jalen Ramsey is still a big name, but his play hasn’t matched his resume this season. After being traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ramsey has allowed a 71% completion rate and a 116.7 passer rating through 13 games.
The Steelers were hoping for a shutdown corner. What they’ve gotten is a reminder that even future Hall of Famers can hit a wall.
Titans’ Lockett Signing Lacks Spark
Tennessee hoped Tyler Lockett could be a steadying presence for rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Instead, the veteran wideout caught just 10 passes for 70 yards in seven games before being released in October. A $4 million flyer that never took flight.
Final Word
Every NFL offseason brings with it a wave of optimism - new faces, fresh starts, and big promises. But as 2025 has reminded us, not all moves are created equal.
Whether it’s injuries, scheme fits, or just plain underperformance, these 25 decisions stand out as some of the season’s biggest misfires. And in a league where every dollar - and every down - counts, those misses can linger long into the future.