Forty-five Oregon alumni are now contracted NFL athletes. It’s one of the hallmarks of head coach Dan Lanning’s three-year tenure in Eugene, which has already seen 24 former Ducks drafted to the league. Two of the league’s premier AFC contenders have Ducks at quarterback, while other teams anchored their offense or saw their defense cemented by talent bred at Autzen Stadium. 

HERBERT, HOST OF DUCKS DEFEAT AFC CHAMPS IN BRAZIL

Justin Herbert became just the third Chargers quarterback ever (Oregon alum Dan Fouts, Philip Rivers) to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 as he led a 27-21 victory over defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 5. Herbert, who sealed the win with a 19-yard scramble-and-slide, returns for his sixth year at the helm with a case to be the best active pro Duck.

Also featured were the Chargers’ Troy Dye (five tackles), Jamaree Caldwell and Nikko Reed (unrostered) alongside Chiefs linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. Reed, who made the 53-man roster after not receiving an NFL Combine invite in 2025 and signing as an undrafted free agent, was inactive for the game.

NIX, FRANKLIN CONNECT IN BRONCOS’ WIN OVER TITANS

Facing 2025 first-overall pick Cam Ward, Bo Nix and Troy Franklin connected for 44 yards on four receptions as the Denver Broncos found their way to a win over the Tennessee Titans. Nix threw two interceptions — the second of which was intended for Franklin — but managed to rack up 176 yards on 25 attempts behind an offensive line room that includes former Ducks Calvin Throckmorton and Alex Forsyth and ride his defense to a 20-12 victory.

IRVING, JOHNSON FEATURE IN BUCS’ WIN OVER FALCONS

There’s a duo of Ducks in Tampa now, and they’re shining. After Bucky Irving (14 carries, 37 yds, receiving TD in 23-20 win over Atlanta) stepped up in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they drafted Oregon single-season receptions record holder Tez Johnson in 2025. The Bucs feature an already deep receiving core, which resulted in Johnson seeing just one target in Week 1, but he made headlines in preseason and looks to take a similar step to Irving’s down the stretch.

WILLIAMS PICKS OFF LIONS TO SEAL PACKERS’ KEY WIN OVER LIONS

Evan Williams wasn’t the star player to come out of Oregon in the 2024 draft class that also included Bo Nix and Jackson Powers-Johnson, but the Green Bay Packers fell in love with the safety. He’s paid them back already. After posting 49 tackles, three passes defensed and an interception in his rookie season, Williams intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff on third-and-7 in the red zone on Saturday to hand Green Bay the ball and a 14-point lead before the half. As the Packers chase a Super Bowl in his second year, Williams looks set to start alongside Xavier McKinney for coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

• Tight end Juwan Johnson, despite a Saints loss to the Cardinals, led New Orleans with a game-high 76 yards and eight receptions. 
• Defensive lineman Deforest Buckner had three tackles in the Indianapolis Colts’ blowout of the Miami Dolphins
• Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir had two tackles, both unassisted, in the San Francisco 49ers win over the Seattle Seahawks
• Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., one of two Ducks to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2025, started at right tackle for the Washington Commanders. The other, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, was named a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers but ruled out of Week 1 with an injury.