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

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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 Kayvon Thibodeaux — New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) talks to reporters after the organized team activities (OTA's) at the Giants training center on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in East Rutherford. | Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com /

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, New York Giants

Entering his second year with the New York Giants since he was drafted number five overall in 2022, edge Kayvon Thibodeaux’s contract has a total value of $31,339,040.

Thibodeaux played for Oregon from 2019 to 2021 and dominated the skill level of his respective position. “Mr. Thibs” won an award every year he played for the green and yellow, picking up the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, the Morris Trophy, MVP Honors for the 2020 Pac-12 Championship Game, and a unanimous vote for 2021’s All American Team. That year, he forewent his last year of college eligibility to try his luck in the NFL Draft.

During his last two years with the Giants, Thibodeaux recorded 59 tackles and 15.5 sacks (including 11.5 sacks just last year). After trading for defensive end Brian Burns, it’s clear the Giants are building a pass-rush defense that heavily involves Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux will make a base of $985,000 this year, with a $4,993,007 prorated signing bonus and a $2,569,004 roster bonus to boot.

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.