The NFL just released the schedules for the 2026 Season, and it’s an intriguing time. Before teams start to prepare, there are still a lot of awful contracts on the majority of teams in this league. So, in a moment of reflection, it’s time to analyze every bad contract in every division in the NFL. The AFC South will be the starting point, as it is arguably the worst division in the AFC.
Houston Texans – None
Of all the teams in the AFC South, there aren’t many bad contracts on the Texans’ payroll. It would have been Joe Mixon, but he is no longer under contract. Out of all the contracts, an argument can be made for TE Dalton Schultz as it is a slight overpay, but he is a dependable player, and it’s only a 1-year deal.
Indianapolis Colts – QB Daniel Jones (2 Year $88 Million – Fully Guaranteed)
Daniel Jones has the best agent in the world. The guy can’t stay healthy and is inconsistent, but keeps getting these contracts on the idea of a player. Yes, Jones played like an MVP Candidate as a Colt, but excluding the Rams, Broncos, Steelers, and Texans, he faced terrible defenses for the majority of his starts. His torn Achilles and fractured fibula are both tough injuries to come back from. This felt like a desperate move given the situation in Indianapolis. They have no first-round pick for 2026 and 2027 due to theAhmad “Sauce” Gardner trade, and their only other option at quarterback is Anthony Richardson, who they’ve already given up on
A fully guaranteed 88 million contract to an injury-prone player never goes well at all. Why is Chris Ballard still the Colts GM?
Dishonorable Mention – WR Alec Pierce (4 Years, $160 Million – 84 Million Guaranteed)
There are a number of awful contracts on the Colts payroll, so there’s going to be a dishonorable mention. Out of the bunch, the Alec Pierce contract signed in the offseason is just ridiculous. This four-year deal, worth $116 million, is a massive overpayment. For a number three receiver who has been inconsistent throughout his entire career and barely got over 1000 receiving yards this year, it makes zero sense. Pierce only had two 100-yard games last year, and as usual, the Colts panicked after the team traded Michael Pittman to Pittsburgh for pennies on the dollar.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Pierce is used with Michael Pittman off the team. It’s hard to see Pierce fitting well in that top receiver spot, when he was mediocre as the number 2/3 receiver last season. Hopefully, Pierce can prove the doubters wrong, but only time will tell.
Jacksonville Jaguars – DE/EDGE Travon Walker (4 Years $110 Million – $77 Million Guaranteed)
The Jaguars have handed out quite a few questionable contracts over the past few years. Out of the bunch, the most questionable deal is Travon Walker. Then again, his entire career has been questionable, since the franchise took him first overall (ahead of Aidan Hutchinson) in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s not a terrible player and has been a solid part of this Jaguars team. This contract is way too much for an inconsistent pass rusher, and the injuries he suffered in 2025 are concerning. Yes, he is versatile and can be a wrecking ball, but this screams overpayment.
Tennessee Titans – OT Dan Moore (4 Years $82 Million Contract – $50 Million Guaranteed)
This signing hasn’t made any sense since the beginning. The Titans have needed a tackle, but Dan Moore wasn’t that great in Pittsburgh. Yet this franchise thought it was a good idea to give Moore a 4-year deal worth 82 million. Then again, this is the same franchise that chose Ran Carthon over Mike Vrabel in a power struggle. Moore was a very terrible blocker last season. PFF even graded him 62nd out of 89 eligible tackles last season. The Titans have to hope a coaching change can make things work, because if not, this deal with Moore will go down as one of the worst in franchise history.
The Worst Contract In The AFC South
Looking at every contract, the worst is Daniel Jones by a country mile. His deal is fully guaranteed, and the guy either can’t stay healthy or plays inconsistently. He is also coming off two brutal injuries, and that deal is horrendous. Dan Moore’s deal isn’t fully guaranteed, and the Titans can get out of it in 2027. The AFC South has some bad contracts, and these are the obvious examples.
