Oregon Football Makes History: NFL Combined Salaries

Breaking down the former Oregon Ducks Football athletes with the highest total value contracts in the NFL.

Ally Osborne | Jul 12, 2024

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) passes the ball while Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) defends in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

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Jun 13, 2024; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers

Finally, we land on another historic year and the highest earning Duck of them all: Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert’s total contract value adds up to $262,500,000. That’s a lot of money for one of his favorite hobbies, fishing.

Herbert played for Oregon from 2016 to 2019. During that time, Herbert racked up more awards than we can list. From being the Second player in Pac-12 history to win the William V. Campbell Trophy and Second Oregon athlete in any sport to be named the Division one CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year, to punching in a 29-13 record over 42 college starts with 40 of those games involving a touchdown, Herbert is an icon for the Oregon Ducks.

Now, after playing four years with the Chargers, Herbert is an established name in the NFL. At 31 passes, Herbert holds the most passing touchdowns by a rookie and most completions by a rookie at 396. Last season, Herbert signed his current deal, which at the time made him the highest paid NFL player in history. Herbert played through the season until he broke his index finger, which resulted in season ending surgery.

Herbert will make a guaranteed $6,000,000 with a signing bonus of $3,224,375 and option of $10,121,300.

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Published Jul 12, 2024

ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally was raised going up and down the steps of Autzen Stadium. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021. She currently works at KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon where she hosts the lifestyle program "Everyday Northwest" and reports for the KOIN Sports team. She's also a graphic designer in her free time, with several of her works created for Oregon athletes.