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15 Worst NFL Offseason Transactions. Read the 15 Worst NFL Offseason Transactions of the 2025 season with questionable moves and decisions made by multiple teams.
15 Worst NFL Offseason Transactions
With the offseason now in the books, most of the NFL rosters are set and prepared for mini camp and eventually training camp. Let’s take a look back on the worst transactions of the 2025 offseason. Which teams made the worst moves?
No. 10: Commanders Acquire Deebo Samuel
The Washington Commanders had a glaring need at the WR2 position throughout the 2024 campaign. Even though they reached the NFC Championship, outside of Terry McLaurin and tight end Zach Ertz, the Commanders lacked proven options in the passing attack. Earlier in the offseason, the Commanders acquired Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. While Samuel was an elite playmaker in his prime, he showed significant regression last season. In 2024, Samuel totaled just over 800 all-purpose yards, his lowest mark since 2020. While Samuel will find success in Washington given the depth chart, his years of being a true playmaker are behind him.
No. 9: Giants Overpaying To Select Jaxson Dart
After taking Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Giants opted to trade back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss. The Giants do not have a true franchise quarterback, and with both Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen on the hot seat, this move seemed desperate. The 2026 QB class is projected to be much deeper than this year’s. The Giants could have opted to let Russell Wilson get the franchise back on track in 2025 and then look for their franchise option in 2026. Dart will need to emerge as a legit starting quarterback for this trade to age well.
No. 8: Seahawks moving off Geno Smith
After enjoying two strong campaigns in Seattle, Geno Smith took a step back in 2024. Last season, Smith threw just 21 touchdown passes and turned the ball over 15 times (a career-high). Following the season, the Seahawks opted to trade Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, which then allowed them to sign Sam Darnold in free agency. However, Smith was not given a favorable situation last season and was worth more than the third-round pick they acquired in return. In 2024, the Seahawks had one of the worst offensive lines in the sport as they allowed the third-most sacks. Darnold will likely have struggles similar to those of Smith.
No. 7: New Orleans Saints Current QB Room
The next transaction is relative to the lack of action the Saints took to improve their quarterback room. After a disastrous 5-12 season where the Saints scored just 19.9 PPG (eighth-fewest in the sport), the Saints enter the 2025 campaign with an even worse QB room. In the draft, the Saints selected Tyler Shough in the second round, which has been viewed as an overpay. In addition, earlier this week. Derek Carr announced his retirement. This leaves the Saints with Shough, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Both Haner and Rattler struggled during their first taste of NFL action last season. Expect the Saints to look for their real franchise quarterback in 2026.
No. 6: The Cleveland Browns trading down from the No. 2 spot
The Cleveland Browns lacked an elite playmaker on their offense in 2024. Last season, the Browns scored the fewest points per game and averaged the fifth-fewest yards per game. At the start of the NFL Draft, they held the second overall pick. They could have selected Travis Hunter out of Colorado who would have immediately provided a boost to their offense. Instead, they opted to trade with the Jaguars and collect future picks. With a weak QB room and pass-catching depth chart (outside of Jerry Jeudy), the Browns could face similar offensive struggles in 2026.
No. 5: Seahawks Signing Cooper Kupp
The Seattle Seahawks let Tyler Lockett walked in free agency (signed with the Titans) and opted to trade DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving breakout receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the lone wideout in the offense. However, they decided to use $45 million of their cap space on veteran pass catcher Cooper Kupp. While Kupp was an elite wide receiver in his prime, he did not warrant a hefty salary on a three-year deal. Last season, Kupp showed significant regression, tallying just 710 yards, his lowest total since 2018.
No. 4: Steelers trading George Pickens to Dallas
The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to move the ball downfield especially in the second half of the season. After they traded for DK Metcalf, it appeared the Steelers were prioritizing the offensive side of the ball in the offseason. However, shortly after the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wideout George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Despite playing with subbar play throughout his career, Pickens has averaged 947 yards per season and has scored 12 touchdowns over three seasons. The Steelers passing offense will likely continue to struggle in 2025.
No. 3: Indianapolis Colts Signing Daniel Jones
Anthony Richardson has struggled to both stay on the field, and produce consistent results through his first two NFL seasons. This has paved the way for veteran Joe Flacco to take over starting duties in Indianapolis. However, with Flacco now in Cleveland, the Colts signed former Giant Daniel Jones to serve as the “1B” in the QB room. However, both Jones and Richardson have yet to find consistent success at the NFL level. The Colts will likely find themselves at the bottom of the standings with two struggling quarterbacks. Instead, the Colts should have brought in a proven veteran to pair with Richardson.
No. 2: Seahawks Signing Sam Darnold To Massive Contract
Other than signing Cooper Kupp, the other large sum of their remaining salary cap went to quarterback Sam Darnold. After Darnold enjoyed a career season in Minnesota throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 scores, the Seahawks inked the former third overall pick to a massive $100.5 million three-year contract. However, as noted above, Darnold may seem himself struggling like Smith did in Seattle last season. The Seahawks allowed the third-most sacks in the league. During the stretch run of the season and in the playoffs, Darnold was unable to counter the blitz and could not throw under pressure.
No. 1: Steelers Signing Mason Rudolph To Be Their QB1?
Currently, the lone transaction the Steelers made to their quarterback room was signing Mason Rudolph to a two-year contract. After no re-signing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Rudolph (and rookie Will Howard) stand alone in the depth chart. With the Steelers still boasting one of the league’s top defensive units, they could still fall out of the playoff picture without a competent quarterback. The Steelers could be trending toward a rebuild given the state of their offense.
