15 worst Minnesota Vikings free agent signings of all-time

As part of their eventful 2008 offseason that also included overpaying Madieu Williams, the Vikings went out and signed Bernard Berrian to a big fat contract. Despite him never finishing a season with at least 1,000 receiving yards, Minnesota felt the pass catcher was still worthy of a six-year, $42 million deal.

Berrian’s big contract made him the fourth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL at the time. Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens were the only receivers around the league who made more than the Vikings’ new pass catcher in 2008.

To the shock of no one, Berrian was never able to develop into the top-tier receiver that Minnesota was clearly hoping for when they signed him. He didn’t even earn an invite to the Pro Bowl during his time with the Vikings.

In four seasons with Minnesota, Berrian never caught a total of more than 55 passes, he never gained more than 965 yards and he averaged less than three touchdowns per year.

By the 2011 season, he found himself at the bottom of the Vikings’ depth chart. Instead of waiting for the end of year, Minnesota decided just to release Berrian seven weeks into the season.