1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins (2009):
Like Ryan Leaf being ranked at the top of our list of the 32 biggest NFL draft busts, there’s just no other player who could top the worst free agent signings in NFL history.
Haynesworth was always known as a dirty player in the NFL, but was also a dominant force along the defensive line. He was an All-Pro for the Titans in 2007 and 2008. Despite his obvious red flags on the field, that performance earned him a massive seven-year, $100 million deal including $41 million guaranteed with the Redskins after the 2008 season.
Haynesworth made headlines from the get-go in Washington, clashing with head coach Mike Shanahan. He was put through an embarrassing conditioning test to begin training camp his first year with the Redskins. He often clashed with the defensive coaches in Washington due to his dislike of their chosen schemes. Despite all of the drama, he only played 20 games for the Redskins and had 6.5 sacks.
He played 13 more games for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was out of the NFL in early 2012. Haynesworth is and could remain the biggest free agent bust of all-time by a wide margin.
