Everyone is comparing UFA contracts to RFA contracts and ELCs all the time. Those require other assets, not just money, to acquire.
Generally yes, your UFA contracts should be your worst contracts money wise. But they also don't require you to give up any other assets
The point being that GM's are trying to win now and in the nearer future. If they make a terrible long signing, they usually don't have to clean it up so they act accordingly.