Introduction

As the dust settles on another NFL offseason, analysts and fans alike turn their focus towards evaluating the deals made and their implications for the upcoming seasons. One intriguing annual exercise is identifying the league's most overpaid players. With relatively few significant trades or signings remaining, a comprehensive team-by-team analysis reveals several players whose contracts don't align with their on-field performance. Here’s a breakdown of the most overpaid players from each NFL team.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: DL Ed Oliver

In the Buffalo Bills' situation, defensive lineman Ed Oliver stands out as a major concern. Despite earning an average annual value (AAV) of $17 million, Oliver has never made a Pro Bowl and struggled with injuries, missing almost the entirety of the 2025 season. His performance has not matched the expectations tied to his current contract, leading some to question his value.

Miami Dolphins: DL Zach Sieler

Zach Sieler is the clear frontrunner for overpayment in Miami, a player whose $64 million extension kicks in in 2027 despite his decline in stats last season. At over 30 years old, and with only one of two players on the roster earning more than $10 million, Sieler's contract becomes a weight for the Dolphins moving forward.

New England Patriots: DL Christian Barmore

Defensive lineman Christian Barmore has been in and out of the lineup during his tenure with the New England Patriots. His AAV, which sits at approximately $20.8 million, raises eyebrows considering his inconsistency and lack of durability during the past five seasons.

New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson

Though still relatively cheap for the coming season, Garrett Wilson’s forthcoming four-year, $130 million extension will take effect next year. Given his lack of production exceeding 1,200 yards or eight touchdowns in a season, questions arise about whether he’s worth a sixth-ranked receiver salary.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: CB Marlon Humphrey

As a four-time Pro Bowler, Marlon Humphrey's large contract is beginning to weigh heavily. Coming off a disappointing season, he ranks among the bottom cornerbacks in performance metrics, and his substantial cap hit for 2026 has led to speculation about whether the Ravens should consider trading him.

Cincinnati Bengals: WR Tee Higgins

For the third consecutive year, Tee Higgins is considered Cincinnati's most overpaid player. While he set a career-high with 11 touchdowns, his failure to reach 1,000 yards for a third straight season raises questions about his value at an AAV of $28.8 million.

Cleveland Browns: QB Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson is at the forefront of overpaid discussions, having thrown just 19 touchdown passes since the end of the 2020 season. As the 12th-highest-paid player in the league, his lack of production makes his salary seem extraordinarily unfounded.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Edge T.J. Watt

T.J. Watt has had an impressive career, yet his three-year, $123 million contract represents an extraordinary financial commitment to a player whose sack numbers have declined heading into his 32-year season.

AFC South

Houston Texans: WR Nico Collins

Administrative decisions in Houston’s franchise haven’t given rise to glaringly overpaid players, but Nico Collins’ impending $27.8 million cap hit raises eyebrows. With just six touchdowns and catch rates below 60%, he must deliver more for the Texans moving forward.

Indianapolis Colts: WR Alec Pierce

The Colts added Alec Pierce at an AAV of $114 million despite his modest production. Having never recorded over 50 catches or eight touchdowns, his new deal raises significant questions about financial sense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Jakobi Meyers

Jakobi Meyers, an experienced receiver, has failed to meet production standards, scoring only seven touchdowns over two seasons. This represents a troubling investment given his entry into the $20 million club as he approaches age 30.

Tennessee Titans: OT Dan Moore Jr.

Dan Moore’s signing was met with skepticism, and his first season only solidified those concerns. Allowing a high number of sacks and ranking poorly among tackles on Pro Football Focus, his $26.4 million cap hit in 2026 seems excessive.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: G Ben Powers

Ben Powers, while part of a strong offensive line, presents a significant vulnerability. Heading into the 2026 season with a nearly $18.2 million cap hit, his injuries and lack of Pro Bowl accolades call his value into question.

Kansas City Chiefs: DL Chris Jones

Chris Jones, experiencing a notable decline at 31, makes for a $44.9 million cap number that ranks him among the top-paid players. Continued drops in performance may lead to reconsideration of his role and financial commitment.

Las Vegas Raiders: Edge Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby’s drop in performance after past successes brings attention to his $35.8 million cap hit for 2026. As he nears 30, the Raiders must assess his fit with the evolving defensive roster.

Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack's execution has diminished considerably over the past several years, making his $18 million salary seem steep for a player producing fewer than ten sacks. His role as a situational player now necessitates evaluation.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: CB DaRon Bland

The Cowboys are faced with a puzzling situation regarding DaRon Bland’s hefty contract at $90 million without substantial historical performance to back it up. These concerns mount as he struggles with his overall coverage statistics.

New York Giants: CB Paulson Adebo

Paulson Adebo's issues with durability introduce concerns over his $24.2 million cap hit following a high-earning breakout season in 2023. This recent struggle raises red flags about future contributions.

Philadelphia Eagles: WR A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown's extension reflects high expectations, yet his productivity fell short of earlier peaks. With a looming top-10 AAV, the Eagles must reevaluate whether Brown remains a significant asset moving forward.

Washington Commanders: WR Terry McLaurin

Though Terry McLaurin maintains a valuable role, he is yet to reach elite receiving numbers despite holding a $30 million contract. Injuries at 30 complicate the situation for both player and franchise.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Edge Dayo Odeyingbo

Dayo Odeyingbo's contract raises alarms after a disappointing start with only one sack before suffering a major injury. His upcoming cap hit compounds concerns over the long-term viability of the investment.

Detroit Lions: DT Alim McNeill

Alim McNeill's potential has yet to materialize fully, raising concerns amidst a lucrative long-term deal. A history of missed games is troubling for a team banking on his development.

Green Bay Packers: G Aaron Banks

Aaron Banks’ struggles place him in discussion as overpaid following a $20.5 million cap hit despite a lackluster performance. The Packers’ expectations for him must be reassessed.

Minnesota Vikings: TE T.J. Hockenson

Despite strong talent around him, T.J. Hockenson’s stagnation in production leads to skepticism about his $15.6 million price tag. He faces pressure heading into the coming seasons.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell

A.J. Terrell's contract belies a subpar recent performance that places his $20 million AAV into question. An offseason focus on recovery and development might be warranted.

Carolina Panthers: Edge Jaelan Phillips

Phillips’ high salary does not match his output, especially when factoring in injuries. He remains on the $30 million AAV list despite never securing major accolades.

New Orleans Saints: RB Alvin Kamara

As age catches up with Alvin Kamara, he risks becoming a cap burden. His declining productivity alongside a substantial contract leave uncertainties about the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin Jr.

Chris Godwin’s recent extension looks excessive considering his inability to stay healthy and contribute significantly over the past two seasons. A cap hit of $33.7 million casts a shadow over his future with Tampa.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Edge Josh Sweat

While Josh Sweat had a moderately successful debut season, his contract is disproportionate to his contributions toward a struggling defense. Evaluating his fit could be crucial moving forward.

Los Angeles Rams: TE Colby Parkinson

Colby Parkinson’s contract reflects a leap given a lack of notable production. With only modest stats to show, the Rams must question the value he brings to their offense.

San Francisco 49ers: Edge Nick Bosa

Despite his accolades, Nick Bosa faces scrutiny after declining performance. His large contract reflects significant investment, but a peak year raises concerns about his long-term potential.

Seattle Seahawks: WR Cooper Kupp

Cooper Kupp's productivity trajectory suggests he may not continue justifying his impending $35.5 million salary, especially with the emergence of younger talents on the roster.

Conclusion

This exercise highlights the disparity that can arise between player salaries and actual performance in the NFL. As teams fine-tune their rosters, careful consideration of contracts will be imperative to mitigate financial risk moving forward. The landscape of the league demands ongoing assessment of player value and role, and these identified stars may be pivotal in shaping their franchises' future strategies.