15 worst free agent signings in Las Vegas Raiders history

By Brad Weiss | Feb 26, 2023

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: A detailed view of a helmet belonging to and Oakland Raiders player sitting on top of a Gatorade cooler against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of their preseason NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Ram won the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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18. KR/WR Desmond Howard, Oakland Raiders (1997)Xxx Raiders Buccaneers S Fbn Ca /

15 worst free agent signings in Las Vegas Raiders history

No. 3: Desmond Howard, Wide Receiver (4yr-$6M)

The signing of Desmond Howard was big news at the time, as the speedster was coming off not only leading the NFL in punt return yards but also fresh off a Super Bowl MVP. The Raiders’ plan was to use Howard as not only a return man but also as a wide receiver, though he never really had an impact in the passing attack.

Howard would end up spending only two seasons with the Raiders, and after the 1998 NFL season, he would return to the Green Bay Packers, the team he won the Super Bowl MVP with. Former team owner Al Davis loved him some Super Bowl MVPs, and while Howard was undoubtedly an incredible talent, he was never more than just a return man for the Silver and Black.

The Raiders managed to get only six receptions out of Howard, and while he always brought excitement in the return game, that was not what Davis was paying for. Howard is a College Football Hall of Famer, a Super Bowl MVP, and a Heisman winner, but his stint with the Silver and Black was nothing short of a disappointment.

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