It may be the season of gift-giving, but many NFL players have some work to do if they want to earn a little extra cash before the 2024-25 campaign ends.
A handful of players see performance bonuses in these final two weeks of the regular season. Some of these incentives are also tied to playoff success, potentially making a postseason run an even richer experience.
Last season, Chris Jones memorably earned $1.25 million on a sack he got in the regular-season finale win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which Patrick Mahomes and other key Chiefs starters did not play because of no playoff implications. were not .
Jones has no performance incentives on the line before the Chiefs’ regular-season finale this year, but few other elite players can find themselves playing in a game without playoff implications and celebrating a rich payday from a play. are Let’s take a look at which players stand to gain the most financially before the season ends.
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith
Smith stands to reap the most financially of anyone heading into the final weeks of the regular season. He is within striking distance of a career high in passing yards. If Smith throws for 386 more yards over these final two weeks, he will earn a $2 million bonus to eclipse his career-best 4,282 passing yards.
However, Smith will have to be a little cautious. If his completion percentage is at least 69.75% then he will benefit another $2 million. He is entering Week 17 at 70.1%. In turn, Smith’s performance over the final two weeks could help Seattle win games, allowing the veteran quarterback to earn even more money. If the eight-win Seahawks achieve either 10 wins or a playoff berth, Smith will earn another $2 million in incentives.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
After signing a three-year, $100 million deal with $50 million guaranteed to stay with the Bucs through the offseason, Mayfield could make even more money in the next few weeks and beyond. He could earn $500,000 if he finishes in the top 10 in the league or the top five in the NFC in passing yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown passes and passer rating, each. He sits in the top 10 in the NFL and top five in the NFC in each of those categories, meaning he’s on track to earn an additional $2.5 million.
Additionally, Mayfield could earn even more if he helps the Bucs reach the postseason and make a run. He will earn $500,000 for each playoff win before the Super Bowl. If Tampa Bay wins it all, Mayfield will earn $2.5 million in bonuses.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
As Mayfield appears to remain at the top of the leaderboard in a handful of statistics, Evans could be the beneficiary. If so, Evans will be set to earn some extra cash. Evans will receive $666,000 if he finishes in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns. He is sixth with nine after Wednesday’s games. He could also earn at least $666,000 if he finishes in the top 10 in receiving yards or receptions. However, Evans’ hamstring injury that caused him to miss time earlier in the season makes that an unlikely proposition. He is ranked 32nd and 45th respectively in these statistics.
Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins could be this year’s Chris Jones candidate for playing deeper in a meaningless game to make more money. He could potentially earn $1 million in bonuses if he has enough days in the Chiefs’ final game of the season.
On 56 receptions, he has nine catches less than a $250,000 reception bonus. At 610 receiving yards, he is 140 receiving yards short of another $250,000 bonus. If one of those receptions is a touchdown, Hopkins will earn $500,000 for reaching six receiving touchdowns in the season. So, if you see Hopkins playing deep in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup, you have reason to.
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
The veteran receiver has been able to cash in on some incentives already this year, earning $1 million in bonuses for recording 928 receiving yards. If he can reach 1,065 yards before the season is over, he will make another $500,000.
Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Josh Sweet, Detroit Lions EDGE Z’Darius Smith, Buffalo Bills EDGE Von Miller
Sweat, Smith and Miller could be playing deep into potentially meaningless Week 18 games to earn some incentives. At eight sacks, Sweat is two more sacks away from earning a $250,000 bonus. That bonus will jump to $1.5 million if Sweat reaches 11 sacks and $2 million if he records 12 sacks this season.
Smith, meanwhile, will earn $250,000 if he increases his sack total from eight to 10 before the season ends.
Miller’s contract restructuring during the offseason tied much of his salary through 2024 to his performance. He has already earned a $2.5 million bonus for recording four sacks. Two more and he’ll earn another $1.5 million in bonuses.
Los Angeles Chargers RB JK Dobbins
Dobbins has already earned $300,000 in bonus money in 2024 from his strong play. If he returns from injury and is able to play in the Chargers’ final two games, he could earn an additional $150,000. At 766 rushing yards, Dobbins is 134 away from another $150,000 bonus. If he has two big games in the final two weeks, Dobbins could earn another $150,000 on top of that if he is able to reach 1,050 rushing yards for the season.
Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard
If Pollard is able to finish the season strong for the Titans, he could look to earn another $450,000 in incentives. At 982 rushing yards, he is 118 rushing yards short of the $250,000 bonus. At five rushing touchdowns, he’s two rushing scores short of $200,000 in bonuses. He could earn $100,000 more if his name is on the original AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Awards and post-season bonuses
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley has already earned $500,000 this season. As he leads the league in rushing, Barkley is in line to make another $750,000 as he will earn $500,000 for an All-Pro selection and $250,000 for a Pro Bowl nod. Barkley could earn $250,000 more if the Eagles win the NFC title and an additional $250,000 if they win the Super Bowl.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes seems unlikely to win the MVP, but if he gets the surprise vote and leads the Chiefs to another AFC title, his salary for next season will increase by $1.25 million. His salary could also increase by $1.25 million for next season if Mahomes plays at least 50% of the snaps in a possible Super Bowl victory for the Chiefs later this season.
Bills QB Josh Allen
Allen has a lot going for him this postseason. To add to the stakes, he also has $3.5 million on the line. If he plays at least 60% of the snaps in a possible Bills AFC title win, he will earn $1 million in incentives. If he plays at least 50% of the snaps in a possible Bills Super Bowl victory, he will earn another $2 million in incentives. Of course, Allen is also the betting favorite to win the MVP. If he is able to win it, he will receive an additional $1.5 million in incentives. So, Allen has another $5 million he could potentially make between now and mid-February.
Lions QB Jared Goff
If the Lions are able to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl this season, the 2028 version of Goff can thank the 2024 version of himself. His salary for that season will increase by $1 million if he plays at least 50% of the Lions’ snaps in winning the Super Bowl this season.
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