It may be the season of gift-giving, but several NFL players have some work to do if they want to earn more money before the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
A number of players have significant performance bonuses in the final two weeks of the regular season. Some of those incentives are tied to playoff success, which could make the postseason run an even richer experience.
Last season, Chris Jones earned a whopping $1.25 million for a sack in the regular-season finale win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs starters didn’t play because there was no playoff impact. .
Jones has no incentive to play well before the Chiefs’ regular season ends this year, but other key players could find themselves playing in a game without the deadline and celebrating a rich pay day with one play. Let’s take a look at which players stand to gain the most financially before the end of the season.
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith
Smith will gain more than anyone financially in the final weeks of the regular season. He is within striking distance of throwing for a career high in passing yards. If Smith throws for another 386 yards over the final two weeks, he will earn a $2 million bonus for surpassing his 4,282 career passing yards.
However, Smith should be careful. He will earn an additional $2 million if his completion percentage is at least 69.75%. He’s 70.1% entering Week 17. In turn, Smith’s performance over the last two weeks could help Seattle win games, which could lead to the veteran quarterback getting more money. If the eight-win Seahawks get to 10 wins or secure a playoff spot, Smith will earn $2 million more in bonuses.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
After signing a three-year, $100 million deal with $50 million guaranteed to stay with the Bucs this offseason, Mayfield could earn 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 top five in the NFC in passing yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown passes and passer rating, respectively. He sits in the top 10 in the NFL and top five in the NFC in each of these categories, meaning he’s in line to earn another $2.5 million.
Additionally, Mayfield could benefit greatly 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
With Mayfield seemingly sitting atop the leaderboard in several stats, Evans could benefit from that. If so, Evans will be set to earn more money. Evans will receive $666,000 if he finishes in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns. It is tied for the sixth time after Wednesday’s nine 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 early in the season makes that unlikely. He is 32 and 45 years old in those figures, respectively.
Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins could be this year’s Chris Jones candidate to play deep in a meaningless game to earn more money. He could earn $1 million in bonuses if he has a big enough day in the Chiefs’ final game of the season.
In 56 deals, you are nine short of the $250,000 welcome bonus. For 610 receiving yards, he is 140 yards short of another $250,000 bonus. If one of those receptions is a touchdown, Hopkins will earn $500,000 for reaching six touchdowns in a season. So, if you see Hopkins playing deep in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Week 18 game, there’s a reason for it.
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
The veteran wide receiver has been able to cash in on other incentives this year, earning $1 million in bonuses for recording 928 receiving yards. If he can reach 1,065 yards before the end of the season, he will earn another $500,000.
Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat, Detroit Lions EDGE Za’Darius Smith, Buffalo Bills EDGE Von Miller
Sweat, Smith and Miller are likely to play deep in potentially meaningful Week 18 games for some gains. At eight sacks, Sweat is two more sacks away from earning a $250,000 bonus. That bonus could reach $1.5 million if Sweat reaches 11 sacks and could rise to $2 million if he records 12 sacks this season.
Smith, on the other hand, will earn $250,000 if he increases his sack total from eight to 10 before the end of the season.
Miller’s contract restructuring last offseason tied most of his salary to his performance in 2024. He has earned 2.5 million tackles by recording four sacks. Two more and you’ll earn another $1.5 million in bonuses.
Los Angeles Chargers RB JK Dobbins
Dobbins has already earned $300,000 in bonus money for his strong performance in 2024. If he can come back from injury and play 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 can reach 1,050 rushing yards this season.
Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard
If Pollard can finish the season strong for the Titans, he could be looking at earning $450,000 more in compensation. For 982 rushing yards, he is 118 yards short of a $250,000 bonus. In the fastest five races, two running points are missing $200,000 in bonuses. He could earn $100,000 more if he is named to the first AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Awards and post-season bonuses
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley has earned $500,000 in incentives this season. Leading the league in rushing, Barkley is in line to earn another $750,000 as he will receive $500,000 for being 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 unexpected vote and leads the Chiefs to another AFC title, his salary will exceed $1.25 million for next season. His salary may increase by $1.25 million next season if Mahomes plays at least 50% of the awards that the Chiefs may win at the end of this season.
Bills QB Josh Allen
Allen has a lot on the line this postseason. Add in the stakes, and you have $3.5 million on the line, too. If he plays at least 60% of the snaps that would have won the Bills an AFC title, he will earn $1 million in bonuses. If he plays at least 50% of the snaps in a potential Bills Super Bowl win, he will earn an additional $2 million in compensation. Of course, Allen is also the betting favorite to win the MVP. If he can win that, he could earn another $1.5 million in incentives. So, Allen has $5 million more that he could potentially get between now and mid-February.
Lions QB Jared Goff
If the Lions can get over the hump and win the Super Bowl this season, the 2028 version of Goff can thank his 2024 version. His salary for that season will increase by $1 million if he plays at least 50% of the Lions win the Super Bowl this season.
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