12. Albert Haynesworth
Advertisement
Albert Haynesworth parlayed his 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award into a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins. At the time, it was the largest contract ever given to a defensive player. Haynesworth was an absolute force on the football field. Once described as “a brutal run-stopper” who could also singlehandedly collapse the pocket on opposing passers as well. But once Haynesworth got his money in Washington, he completely mailed it in. He was scorned by the local media and fans for routinely taking plays off, sometimes literally laying on the ground untouched until the play was over. When Mike Shanahan became the Redskins head coach in 2010, he handed Haynesworth a $20 million roster bonus, with the understanding that Haynesworth would play nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme Shanahan preferred.
Haynesworth took the money, cashed the check, and then started a feud with the team and the coach through the media, stating his refusal to play nose tackle, and eventually coming into training camp badly out of shape. After that season, the NFL Network called the signing of Haynesworth the “worst free-agency move of last decade” — and that might have been an understatement. (Image Credit: Getty)