Irish In The NFL: 2015 Notre Dame Offensive Line Hits Financial Milestone
Nine-figure NFL contracts are generally reserved for starting quarterbacks and a few top-tier pass rushers. But given the significance and financial value of starting signal-callers, it is becoming even important to protect them, which has given way to some substantial contracts for offensive linemen.
While none are currently on the same team, members of the 2015 Notre Dame offensive linemen have done very well for themselves in the pros.
“That 2015 offensive line, they should have bought this building twice,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said during his weekly radio show, referencing the new 111,400-square-foot Irish Indoor Athletics Facility.
The four members of that offensive line who chose an NFL career — Nick Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson — have already combined to accumulate more than $111 million in the total value of their current and past contracts, including signing bonuses.
The line crossed the $100 million mark (as first reported by Pete Sampson of The Athletic) this past week when Martin, a center for the Houston Texans, signed a three-year, $33-million contract. Martin is now the second-highest-paid center in the NFL behind Mitch Morse of the Buffalo Bills.
The Baltimore Ravens picked up Stanley’s fifth-year option in the spring, which will pay him nearly $13 million in 2020. After that, it’s expected that the Ravens will either use a franchise tag on him or sign him to a long-term deal.
Nelson, who was the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick in 2018, is considered the best young offensive guard in the league and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Based on his rookie contract and signing bonuses, he's guaranteed $23,888,907 over his first four years in the NFL. His career trajectory is on a similar path to that of former Irish player Zack Martin, who is in the first season of a six-year, $84 million contract.
McGlinchey, the right tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, looks like he will have a long NFL career. Based on his rookie contract and signing bonuses, he's guaranteed $18,341,721 over his first four years in the NFL.
The fifth starting member of the 2015 offensive line, Steve Elmer, decided to forgo his final year of eligibility after starting 30 games for the Irish and picked a career as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C.
While the 2015 offensive line is the highlight of that Notre Dame team, a large portion of the roster is doing well in the NFL.
“Including the practice squad, the media knows this, 25 players from the 2015 team are on NFL rosters,” Kelly said. “That’s amazing. That’s like 23 percent of the roster.”
Other notable NFL players from the 2015 Notre Dame roster include Romeo Okwara, who signed a two-year, $6.8-million contract with the Detriot Lions; Will Fuller, who is still in the middle of a four-year, $10.1-million deal with the Texans; and Jaylon Smith, who recently signed a six-year, $68.4-million contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
Week Two Recap
Here is how former Notre Dame players fared during week two of the NFL season:
• Miles Boykin (Played at Notre Dame from 2015-18), WR, Baltimore Ravens: Was targeted three times and hauled in one reception for 11 yards in the 2-0 Ravens’ 23-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Saw action on 48 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, third most among Baltimore wide receivers … Has two catches for 16 yards and one touchdown through two games.
• Sheldon Day (2012-15), DL, San Francisco 49ers: Recorded two tackles in the 2-0 49ers’ 41-17 road victory versus the Cincinnati Bengals … Has posted three stops through two contests.
• Tyler Eifert (2009-12), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Reeled in three receptions for nine yards and a touchdown in 0-2 Cincinnati’s loss to the 49ers … Has eight catches for 36 yards and one score through two games.
• Matthias Farley (2011‑15), DB, New York Jets: Saw action in the 0-2 Jets’ 23-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but did not register any statistics … Has played in both games with no stats.
• Will Fuller (2013-15), WR, Houston Texans: Snagged four catches for 40 yards in 1-1 Houston’s 13-12 victory versus the Jacksonville Jaguars … Has six receptions for 109 yards (18.2 yards per grab) through two contests.
• Bennett Jackson (2010-13), CB, Free Agent: Was cut by the New York Jets prior to their Monday night contests against Cleveland Sept. 16 … Did not see any game action before being let go by New York.
• J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Drew a critical block in the back penalty on punt coverage that negated a solid return, but 0-2 Carolina fell 20-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … After the first two games this season, has now served as the Panthers’ long snapper for 162 consecutive regular-season contests.
• TJ Jones (2010‑13), WR, New York Giants: Released by 0-2 New York at the end of preseason, but re-signed with the franchise Sept. 11 … In his first game back with the team, he had had a 60-yard punt return plus hauled in three receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown in a 28-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
• DeShone Kizer (2014-16), QB, Oakland Raiders: Did not play in the 1-1 Raiders’ 28-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Has yet to see game action since joining the team at the end of the preseason, and is currently third on the depth chart.
• Julian Love (2015-18), CB, New York Giants: Did not register a defensive snap in the Giants’ loss to the Bills … Has been limited to special teams duty during the first two weeks and has yet to record a stat.
• Nick Martin (2011-15), OL, Houston Texans: Started and played every offensive snap for the Texans in their victory versus the Jaguars … Has started each of the first two contests.
• Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Started at left guard in the 2-0 Cowboys’ 31-21 win over the Washington Redskins and played 100 percent of the offensive snaps … Has started both games for Dallas to date.
• Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, San Francisco 49ers: Played 100 percent of the offensive snaps at right tackle during San Francisco’s dominating win versus Cincinnati … Has started each of the first two contests for the 49ers.
• Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Played 100 percent of the offensive snaps at left guard in 1-1 Indianapolis’ 19-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans … Has started both games for the Colts.
• Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions: Compiled two tackles and half a sack in the 1-0-1 Lions’ 13-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Has two tackles and 0.5 sacks through two contests.
• C.J. Prosise (2012-15), RB, Seattle Seahawks: Carried the ball twice for seven yards and had three receptions for 13 yards in Seattle’s 28-26 road victory versus the Pittsburgh Steelers … Has played in both games to date, but those were his first stats of the season.
• Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DT, Los Angeles Chargers: Made one tackle in the 1-1 Chargers’ three-point defeat at Detroit … Has come off the bench in both games and notched the one stop.
• Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Hauled in three catches for nine yards in the 1-1 Vikings’ 21-16 road loss to the Green Bay Packers … Started both contests to date, but those three grabs were his first of the season.
• Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Notched six tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defended and a fumble recovery in the defeat at the hands of the Packers … Has started both games while racking up 15 tackles, three passes defended and one fumble recovery … Tied for 32nd in the NFL in tackles.
• Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Led the 2-0 Cowboys with 11 tackles in the triumph over the Redskins … Has recorded 17 stops through two games, which is tied for 17th in the league.
• Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Had one catch for 24 yards — the longest reception of the game for his team — in the 0-2 Dolphins’ 43-0 loss to the New England Patriots … Has started each of the first two games this season, but that was his first grab.
• Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: Played in 100 percent of the offensive snaps in Baltimore’s win over Arizona … Started both games at left tackle.
• Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, New York Giants: Serving a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs and has yet to play.
• Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers: Recorded one solo tackle in the Chargers' narrow loss to the Lions … Has made two tackles through two contests.
• Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Did not register any stats during Los Angeles’ defeat in Detroit … Has one tackle and one blocked punt through two games.
• Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Registered four tackles and 2.5 sacks in the 0-2 Steelers’ home loss to Seattle … Started each of the first two games while compiling six tackles and 2.5 sacks.
• Dexter Williams (2015-18), RB, Green Bay Packers: Was inactive for the Packers’ win against the Vikings … Has yet to see game action this season.
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