Former Clemson and Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei landed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, but the terms of his contract sparked a host of social media jokes.
Uiagalelei landed a camp invite from the Chargers, but according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC, his signing bonus was just $3,000.
#Chargers deal for D.J. Uiagalelei has $3,000 signing bonus, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 27, 2025
That bonus sparked a whole lot of jokes about Uiagalelei’s history, and how that sum of money is not likely to last long.
He got off cheap. They should’ve charged him at least $5k to sign.
— Louis Potenza (@ljpotenza) April 27, 2025
D.J. Uiagalelei right now pic.twitter.com/r9ddNVWLyK
— Tony Pajamas (@Shawnnnn412) April 27, 2025
So, he gets $20 out of it with the taxes 😂
— Richard Olivares (@richolivj17) April 27, 2025
$1,425 after fed and CA taxes 😂
— Above Party (@TheAboveParty) April 28, 2025
This is not how Uiagalelei likely envisioned his career going a few years ago. He was once a 5-star recruit and Trevor Lawrence’s successor at Clemson, but he struggled there and took shots at the offense on his way out the door. He revived his career after moving to Oregon State, but then transferred again to Florida State, where he played poorly and suffered a season-ending hand injury.
There had been speculation that Uiagalelei might seek a medical waiver to try to play another year of college football, but he ultimately chose not to. That extra year probably would not have made much of a difference, but the NFL path does not look promising for him, and he probably would have made more in NIL money had he stayed in college.
