15 worst free agent signings in Denver Broncos franchise history

13. Niko Koutouvides, LB (2008)

The 2008 offseason would prove to be a pretty critical one in Denver Broncos history as it would be the last of the Mike Shanahan era.

Shanahan had coached the team to its first two Super Bowl wins ever. He had brought the franchise into prominence and etched their name in NFL immortality, and he almost did it again with Jake Plummer leading the team at quarterback.

After benching Plummer in the 2006 season, Shanahan pivoted to Jay Cutler and Cutler was entering his second full season as the starter in 2008. It was a crucial juncture for the Broncos because owner Pat Bowlen was ready for his team to be back in title contention.

One of the bigger moves Shanahan made in that 2008 offseason was signing free agent linebacker Niko Koutouvides, a name you may not recognize. Koutouvides signed a three-year deal worth $7.5 million and it was thought, at the time, that he would take the next step from being a special teams ace in Seattle to perhaps becoming a full-time starter with the Broncos at the linebacker position.

He ended up playing one season with the Broncos, 14 games, and racking up just 10 total tackles.