Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Top 10 worst free agency signings in team history

Number 7: Eric Wright (2012)

It’s no mystery why Eric Wright is the second most famous Eric Wright in NFL history, and the third most in American history. He wasn’t as talented as the cornerback that won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s or the NWA rapper known as “Eazy E”. He does have the Eric Wright that caught five balls for the Bears in 1992 beat, however, so kudos there.

Going into the 2012 offseason, Wright had 13 career interceptions to his name after spending four years with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Detroit Lions. Wright was coming off of a four-interception season with the Lions when the Buccaneers signed him to a five-year, $37.5 million dollar contract. For that money, the Buccaneers were probably not banking on the second coming of Ronde Barber, but maybe the 49ers Eric Wright at the very least.

Instead, the “bang” the Bucs got for their buck was 38 combined tackles with seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and one interception. Granted, that one interception was a pick-six so there’s that. Somehow, the Buccaneers managed to trade Wright to the 49ers ironically after that season, but he failed his physical and returned to Tampa where he was promptly released. He ended up signing with the 49ers anyway who it can be surmised were also hoping for the other Eric Wright who used to play there. He never actually played a down in San Francisco.