Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1307521
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2020 51 IRISH IN THE PROS NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: WEEK EIGHT HIGHLIGHTS • Miles Boykin (Played at Notre Dame from 2015-18), WR, Baltimore Ravens: Hauled in two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown in the 5-2 Ravens' 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh … Had 13 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown through seven games. • Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Notched five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown in the 7-0 Steelers' 28-24 win over Baltimore … Through seven contests, had 23 catches for 375 yards and five touch- downs, six carries for 21 yards and two scores, and five special teams tackles. • Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions: Recorded five tackles, one sack and one quarterback hit in the 3-4 Lions' 41-21 loss to Indianapolis … Through seven games, had 20 tackles (seven for loss), five sacks, 11 quarter- back hits and a forced fumble. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Recorded eight tackles and one pass defended in the 2-5 Vikings' 28-22 win at Green Bay … Through seven contests, had 33 tackles (two for loss), three pass deflections, a quarterback hit and a pick. • Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers: Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week with his nine tackles (three for loss), two sacks and three QB hits in the 7-0 Steel- ers' 28-24 victory versus Baltimore … Through seven games, had 26 tackles (eight for loss), six sacks (seventh in NFL) and 18 quarterback hits. BY ANDREW MENTOCK O n Oct. 30, Ravens All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley inked an extension that made him the second- highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, behind only Houston's Laremy Tunsil in terms of annual salary. In total, the value of the five-year contract is $98.75 million. With an additional $1.25 million in Pro Bowl incentives, Stanley could net $20 mil- lion per year. At a minimum, $68.57 million is guaranteed. "We are excited to announce a five- year contract extension with Ronnie Stanley through the 2025 season," Ravens general manager Eric De- Costa said after the contract was an- nounced. "Ronnie is the mainstay on our offensive line. He's a shutdown left tackle who excels on the field and in our community. "This is just the beginning for Ron- nie, and we could not be happier for him and his family." This deal was months in the mak- ing. Stanley was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but even after he was named All-Pro in 2019, he was the lone player from his class selected in the top seven who hadn't signed a significant extension ($90 million or more) at the start of the season. Some even speculated that the Ravens might not get the deal done before the fifth and final year of his rookie contract was up, especially after he missed a few games early in the season due to injuries. Ultimately, the deal was signed just in time because, two days later, Stan- ley injured his ankle in the Ravens' week eight matchup with Pittsburgh Steelers and is now out for the season. On the bright side, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated after the game that Stanley's long-term prog- nosis was good. Stanley's $98.75 million contract rep- resents the largest NFL deal any former Notre Dame player has signed. Sec- ond is the six-year, $84 million contract signed by Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin that runs through 2024. A few other former Notre Dame of- fensive linemen could also sign large contract extensions in the next few years. Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson is already a two-time All-Pro and widely considered the best offensive lineman in the NFL. Traditionally, left tackles are the high- est-paid linemen, but Nelson could prove to be an exception to the rule. San Francisco 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey has had an up-and- down NFL career, but his ceiling is still high, especially as a run blocker. If he can put together a strong finish to 2020 and continue this ascent through 2021, he may also be offered a life-changing contract in his near future. Not every former Notre Dame of- fensive lineman is accustomed to eight-figure deals. Sam Young, currently with the Las Vegas Raiders, has started four games this season and is in the midst of his 11th NFL season. Once his current contract is up at the end of the sea- son, he'll have made just more than $8 million from his NFL contracts. ✦ Stanley inked a five-year, $98.75 million deal with the Ravens that made him the second-highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. PHOTO COURTESY BALTIMORE RAVENS Ronnie Stanley Signs Contract Extension, Then Suffers Season-Ending Injury Current NFL Contracts For Notre Dame Offensive Linemen Player Contract Years Value Ronnie Stanley Five $98.75 Million Zack Martin Six $84 Million Nick Martin Three $33 Million Quenton Nelson Four $24.1 Million Mike McGlinchey Four $18.6 Million Sam Young One $1 Million Alex Bars Two $1 Million Sam Mustipher One $0.6 Million * Contract figures courtesy of Spotrac