Las Vegas Raiders April Fools: 5 worst free agent signings in history

Oakland Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks threw for 238 yards as the Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 23 to 14 at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California, December 3, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks threw for 238 yards as the Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 23 to 14 at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California, December 3, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)
3 of 6
LaMont Jordan running back for the Oakland Raiders breaks free on a 59 yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns at the McAfee Coliseum on October 1, 2006. The Browns went on to win 24 to 21. (Photo by Peter Brouillet/NFLPhotoLibrary)
LaMont Jordan running back for the Oakland Raiders breaks free on a 59 yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns at the McAfee Coliseum on October 1, 2006. The Browns went on to win 24 to 21. (Photo by Peter Brouillet/NFLPhotoLibrary)

4. LaMont Jordan, RB, New York Jets

LaMont Jordan turned a four-year stint as a backup on the New York Jets in to a five-year, $27.5 million with Raiders before the 2005 season. Initially the contract looked like a steal as Jordan had his first 1,000 yard season and led all running backs with 70 receptions. He lead the Raiders with 11 total touchdowns and looked like he could be the Raiders lead back for the length of his contract. The 2006 season started off well for Jordan but in November he tore his MCL and missed the rest of the year.

After the injury Jordan lost his starting job to Justin Fargas and was never quite the same player. Jordan still managed to rush for 549 yards in his final year with a Raiders in a reduced role, but he was certainly not the player Al Davis expected him to be after giving him that five-year deal. Perhaps if he had not gotten injured then he could have continued to be the feature back he was paid to be, but health is always a factor when judging the value of a player and his contract.

Jordan was released and played another two years in the league as a backup in New England and Denver but as is typical of NFL running backs, lost his burst and found himself out of the league shortly after his 30th birthday.

Schedule