Ranking 10 Worst Contracts in NFL Ahead of 2023 Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Remaining contract: Two years, $15 million

The New England Patriots decided to overhaul their tight end room completely prior to the 2021 campaign. The team doled out big deals to both Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith that offseason, but neither ended up being a major asset for the club. Smith performed particularly poorly in comparison to his contract before being unceremoniously traded for a seventh-round pick back in March.

After signing a four-year, $50 million contract with the Pats, Smith ended up playing just two years for the club. While he appeared in 30 games and saw the field for approximately half of the offensive snaps, the tight end recorded just 55 catches for 539 yards and a single score in those contests. It was a significant dip in production following Smith's breakout 41-catch, 448-yard, eight-touchdown campaign for the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

The Falcons are now saddled with Smith's contract and will hope to get more value out of the 27-year-old than New England was able to. With Drake London and Kyle Pitts dominating the defensive attention, it's possible that Smith will re-emerge as a serviceable piece in Atlanta. If that doesn't come to fruition, the club can release him in 2024—taking just a $2.5 million dead cap hit while shedding $6.5 million in salary.