Oregon Football Makes History: NFL Combined Salaries

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

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

In this story:

Oregon Ducks Los Angeles Chargers Detroit Lions Miami Dolphins Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars San Francisco 49ers New York Giants Denver Broncos Auburn Tigers Washington Huskies New England Patriots Colorado Buffaloes New Orleans Saints Las Vegas Raiders Washington Commanders Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Former Oregon Duck Christian Gonzalez — Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) speaks to the media during press availability at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports | Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

7. Christian Gonzalez, Corner, New England Patriots

With a total value of $15,102,868 for a four year contract, corner Christian Gonzalez is making serious cash for an athlete drafted in 2023. Gonzalez transferred from Colorado to Oregon in 2022 to play for the Ducks. During his one year tenure, Gonzalez was named first team all Pac-12 for his three interceptions, seven pass break-ups, and 45 tackles.

Gonzalez forfeited his remaining two years of college eligibility for the NFL Draft and was taken round one pick seventeen by the New England Patriots.

During his first year with New England, Gonzalez received Defensive Rookie of the Month, the same month in which he caught his first interception versus the Miami Dolphins. Later in the season, Gonzalez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and was put on injury reserve.

This year, Gonzalez makes a base salary of $910,000, with a signing bonus of $1,995,976, and a roster bonus of $521,494.

Juwan Johnson, tight end of the New Orleans Saints, was originally supposed to be the number seven choice, but is currently on injury reserve due to a broken foot, and his contract bonuses have been waived.

Published Jul 12, 2024

Ally Osborne

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.