There are currently fifty former Oregon Ducks in the NFL. Your best bet for finding former Oregon players would be tuning into the Chargers, Jaguars or Broncos, who each have four pro Ducks.
While not everyone listed here were teammates, whether it be due to the timelines not matching up, or being a transfer addition, the Oregon connection and brotherhood runs deep.
Lucky for Duck fans, these two teams will match up twice in the regular season, as they do every year, being divisional opponents. Let's look at when these two teams play, and other games of note, including specific player matchups.
Chargers vs Broncos - Weeks 3 & 18
Former Ducks on the teams: Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, LB Troy Dye, DL Jamaree Caldwell, CB Nikko Reed. Broncos: QB Bo Nix, WR Troy Franklin, OL Alex Forsyth, OL Calvin Throckmorton
These old AFL foes have not been shy about taking former Ducks through the draft and free agency, and there are several matchups within them of note. Both teams appeared in the playoffs last year, making up two of the three wild-card berths in the AFC.
As both teams have very realistic playoff aspirations yet again, the week 18 game could be of particular interest. This could end up as a Bo Nix-Justin Herbert shootout to make it into the playoffs, or earn a higher seed, as they compete through one of the league's most competitive divisions.
If Nikko Reed, who spent the last two seasons with the Ducks, is able to crack the roster, we could see him in coverage against his former teammate Troy Franklin, and we will see Jamaree Caldwell trying to get after Bo Nix, matched up against standout center Alex Forsyth.
Former Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa is now a Kansas City Chief, and will play against the Chargersr and Broncos as well, the same goes for Las Vegas Raiders outstanding second-year center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Buccaneers vs Patriots - Week 10
Former Ducks on the teams: Buccaneers: WR Tez Johnson, RB Bucky Irving. Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez.
This one will feature two of the premier former Oregon Ducks in the NFL, and two of the best players at their respective positions: Bucky Irving and Christian Gonzalez.
While the Buccaneers figure to be a much higher caliber team than the Patriots, there are interesting storylines to follow throughout.
Although Tez Johnson is stepping into a loaded receiver room, including future hall of famer Mike Evans, veteran Chris Godwin, and young wideouts Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka, he could carve out a role. In his entire career up to this point, Tez has been doubted, yet constantly defied the odds.
Though Gonzalez is most frequently seen on the outside, and not in the slot, there is a chance that we see Christian Gonzalez test the NFL prowess of rookie Tez Johnson.
Lions vs Giants - Week 12
Former Ducks on the teams: Lions: OL Penei Sewell. Giants: EDGE Kayvon Thiboudeaux, SAF, Jevon Holland, DL Jordon Riley.
The New York Giants acquired Jevon Holland through free agency after the safety had a great run with the Miami Dolphins.
While seeing how Holland fits in with his new squad throughout the season will be interesting, the real story of this game is between Sewell and Thibodeaux. Both are two of the highest drafted Ducks in recent memory, both are excellent in their positions, and the two teams involved feel like a David vs Goliath matchup.
While Thiboudeaux has had a very good tenure in the NFL, Penei Sewell is in a very short list at the top of the league, as one of the very best at his position. This is a direct matchup we will see throughout the game.
NFC East Matchups
Former Ducks on the teams: Giants: EDGE Kayvon Thiboudeaux, SAF, Jevon Holland, DL Jordon Riley. Cowboys: OL Ajani Cornelius, WR Traeshon Holden, OL TJ Bass. Commanders: OT Josh Conerly, QB Marcus Mariota
Another matchup featuring Thibodeaux will be between himself and the Cowboys newest offensive tackle, Ajani Cornelius, should he see significant playing time. Perhaps more notably, Thibodeaux will go head-to-head with 2025 first round draft pick Josh Conerly, a big test for the young tackle.
Marcus Mariota serves as the backup to former Heisman winner and NFL rookie of the year, Jayden Daniels.
We will see each of these teams play each other twice, in a rather competitive division.
Another notable divisional matchup, is between the Colts and Jaguars (AFC South). As previously mentioned, the Jaguars are tied with the Chargers and Broncos for having the most former Ducks on their roster. While the Jaguars also have CB Jabbar Muhammad and TE's Patrick Herbert and Johnny Mundt, the most notable is Arik Armstead.
On the other side of the game is another former elite Oregon defensive lineman, DeForest Buckner. These two are amongst the longest tenured pro Ducks, the pair were key in the Ducks success of the mid-2010's.
Rams vs 49ers - Weeks 5 & 10
Former Ducks on the teams: 49ers: CB Deommodore "Dede" Lenoir, RB Jordan James. Rams: Terrance Ferguson.
One of my personal favorite Ducks from the Cristobal era in Dede Lenoir, and my favorite from the Lanning era (although yes -- one season was under Cristobal), Terrance Ferguson will face off multiple times per year, for the foreseeable future.
Lenoir was the ultimate sleeper pick in the 2021 draft, going in the fifth round. Before the 2024/25 season had concluded, he became one of the highest paid corners in all of the NFL, while playing primarily as a nickel/slot corner. But Oregon doesn't develop... or so I've heard.
Two members of the Ducks 2025 NFL draft class, RB Jordan James and Terrance Ferguson will play as well. The 49ers were hit by the injury bug in a bad way at running back in 2024, and even without those unfortunate circumstances; they rotate their running back's to a level where James will likely see the field.
Terrance Ferguson was one of the most consistent and productive Ducks over his four years at Oregon. Given his elite skillset, offensive guru and Rams head coach Sean McVay will find ways to put Ferguson in a place to succeed early on in his career.
He has discussed his admiration, mutual respect, and mutual play stealing for and with Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, and seems extremely excited to have acquired arguably the greatest tight end in program history.
Sibling Rivalries
If you weren't beat over the head with the sibling connections on the Oregon roster during broadcasts, here's some more familial connections that we will see in the NFL. Side note -- It's not over, current Oregon RB1 Makhi Hughes and incoming five-star DB Na'eem Offord are brothers, and rest assured, the broadcast will let us know... every week.
Penei & Noah Sewell - Weeks 2 & 18 (Lions vs Bears)
As discussed, Penei is one of the NFL's elite at offensive tackle, and one of the best overall in the league, playing for the Detroit Lions. Noah is a rotational inside linebacker and special-teamer for the Chicago bears. Being division rivals, they will face off twice, nearly bookending each others seasons.
Justin & Patrick Herbert - Week 11 (Chargers vs Jaguars)
Eugene's own! The Sheldon High School alums will face off in week 11. Patrick, a former tight end was signed as an undrafted free agent and provides high level blocking skills, with reliabilty through the air. Newly minted Jaguars head coach did not use 13 personnel (1 running back, 3 tight ends) as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2024, so Patrick's usage could be limited.
Justin Herbert needs no introduction, he is truly one of the NFL's elite at quarterback, and is finally being surrounded by elite offensive playmakers in order for him to truly succeed.
The Broncos and Buccaneers do not play each other in 2025, meaning Bo Nix and Tez Johnson will not play against each other this year.