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The Worst Cuts All 32 NFL Teams Have Ever Made

By Erik Lambert

SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Trent Green #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 30, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chiefs won 28-24. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Trent Green #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 30, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chiefs won 28-24. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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Wide receiver Michael Bates #82 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Eriksson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Saints 31-17.
Wide receiver Michael Bates #82 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Eriksson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Saints 31-17. /

Seattle Seahawks

Arizona. Michael Bates . 29. player. 36. . KR

Special teams was frowned upon a lot in the earlier days of the league. Back in the 1990s it wasn’t nearly as embraced as it is today. There’s a reason it’s called a third of the game though. Games and seasons can often turn on a special teams play. So the Seattle Seahawks must be admonished for not coveting what Michael Bates was. All they saw was an athletic young receiver who they might be able to turn into an offensive weapon.

What they should’ve done instead was see if they could build a proper scheme around his gifted ability as a kick returner. They did not do that and cut him after just two seasons. In 1996, the Carolina Panthers showed them what a mistake they made. Bates became one of the best return men in football, reaching five-straight Pro Bowls and helping the expansion franchise to an NFC championship in just their second year of existence.

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