Generally, any incentives with higher thresholds than the player's or team's statistical performance in the prior season qualify as NLTBE. Houston gets $500,000 for reaching five sacks. Post-6/1 Release 2023 Dead Cap: $485,486 2024 Dead Cap: $0 2023 Cap Savings: $4,403,000. Entering Week 18, the veteran quarterback ranks eighth in passer rating with a mark of 100.5 (Kirk Cousins clocks in at fifth with a 101.3 rating). Then there is Goldens contractual incentive based on sacks. Brown's playtime is 97.84% through 15 games. Triggering an escalator doesn't necessarily mean that the player will make the increased salary. Antonio Brown earned $250,000 bonus by reaching 45 catches on the season. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys, $65,073.98: Elliott was a holdout at the beginning of training camp and was paid handsomely -- a six-year deal worth $90 million. The Dolphins are on track to improve in total defense and average net yards given up per passing play. Follow Stats and Info on Twitter @ESPNStatsInfo. Smith was set to return to the Ravens, who took him in 2015's fourth round, on a four-year, $35 million contract before Von Miller and Chandler Jones signed for deals averaging significantly more. He featured Smith offensively at the beginning of the game so he could make the extra money and reach the personal milestone. Armstead's offensive playtime is 74.7% (688 of 921 plays) through 15 games. Smith has $1 million in 2022 incentives based on sacks. Wagner has $3 million in annual incentives based on playtime, team success and individual honors. All Rights Reserved. NFL players to bring in a wide range of bonuses - ESPN.com A salary reduction was necessary after Dante Fowler only produced three sacks in 2020. He was one of 26 players to have earned at least $500,000. Arizona Cardinals tackle Kelvin Beachum collected the second-highest check at $604,185 after starting every game. The two-year, $28 million contract (worth up to Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was aware of what was at stake for Moore in the week leading up to the regular-season finale. 7:48 pm ET. Every season in which Wilson completes at least 66% of his passes (minimum of 224 pass attempts), throws for 4,000 or more passing yards or has at least 36 touchdown passes adds $250,000 for each achievement. Free-agency coverage | More NFL . Tom Brady has a number of incentives to play for this season, and while many of those can only be achieved with victories in the postseason, there are some regular season contract incentives at stake this weekend. There's an additional $250,000 at the 80% threshold. Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton would have earned $1 million if the Cowboys made the playoffs. The Titans traded Wilson to the Dolphins earlier in the offseason and he has already been released. Incentives are preferable to escalators. Since we represented Jacksonville's head coach, Jack Del Rio, in the latter stages of his playing career, I called him during the week of the finale to let him know what was at stake for Smith in the game. Likely unreachable, but if he were to hit 14 with five sacks, he'd see that bumped to $4.4 million. J.J. Watt, DL, Cardinals. at Maximum: $1 millionExpected bonus: $750,000. NFLPA announces performance-based pay benefits for 2020 season If earned, a team will incur a salary cap charge for most incentives after the playoffs end. The 55% threshold could be in jeopardy if Campbell doesn't make a quick return from the thigh injury that kept him out of last Sunday's game against the Packers. Trey Flowers, DE, Lions, $47,671.70: After four years in New England, Flowers signed with Detroit in 2019 and received a five-year, $90 million contract. All 255 picks | Biggest takeaways Rams top Bengals after OBJ exits 2021-22 NFL Postseason Payouts | Spotrac Research Our goal is to keep you informed while saving you time so you can compete successfully. Proven Performance Escalator | Over the Cap Sanders, Brown lead bonus run by NFL players in Week 17 He joined the Super Bowl LVI champion Rams on a five-year, $50 million contract worth up to $65 million through incentives. He was also given assurances that a renegotiation would take place in early 2022 reflecting his 2021 performance and health.There are $2.5 million in playtime incentives contingent on Miami improving in NFL ranking from the 2020 season in either total defense, average net years given up per passing play or average net yards given per rushing play. Grasu played right tackle and blocked for a 3-yard gain. 29 overall -- Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen and Miami Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene -- earned $181,141 and $139,826 respectively. Ten sacks are worth another $750,000. He makes $500,000 for each of the six thresholds reached. He has converted 91.9% of his 37 field goal attempts. The regular season playtime isn't an issue, but Green Bay still needs another touchdown to exceed last year's mark.There's also $100,000 each for finishing top three in the NFL for the following categories with the same team improvement, a minimum of 224 pass attempts, and by taking 72.5% or more Green Bay's offensive snaps during the season: (1) passer rating, (2) completion percentage, (3) interception percentage, (4) yards per pass and (5) touchdown passes. The two-year, $13 million deal Brown signed to remain with the Patriots is worth as much as $22 million because of $4.5 million in annual playtime incentives. In order to receive this 45-catch bonus, the wide receiver also needed to reach the playoffs, which the Bucs did. The Level One PPE is earned if a player participates in a certain percentage of a team's offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averages that percentage of offensive or defensive snaps over his entire first three years. Agent's Take: Performance bonus projections for 25 key players The receptions and yardage numbers stand out because of some incentives in his contract. In those nine games, he has 40 catches for 527 yards and six touchdowns. Given that many contracts have performance incentives built in, there are some players who can earn themselves a nice payday this weekend if they put together some impressive outings in the final game of the season. About Spotrac; Media Requests; Tyler Lockett's big day against the 49ers was worth $600,000. He threw for 399 yards Sunday, finishing with 4,633 -- third in the NFL behind Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, and fifth most in his career. $17.1M guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2021 salary + 2022 salary + 2022 option bonus) $2.866M of 2023 salary fully guarantees on 3/18/22; 2022 Option Bonus: $3M; . The NFL adding a 17th game in 2021 means another cash infusion for some highly paid players. The deal contains $1.25 million in annual incentives for reaching 10 sacks. Quarterback Drew Brees acknowledged after the game that the Saints were making a concerted effort to help Sanders reach his goal -- and teammates made a celebratory gesture with him on the field when he did it. Smith's 2021 sacks determine whether he makes back the entire $4 million and a little more. Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. is a half-sack away from $1 million -- with 4.5 sacks, he needs to reach five sacks to collect -- and if he has a big game against New Orleans and reaches seven sacks, he would instead make $2 million. Here's a look at some of the notable performance-based bonuses that were distributed: Alex Cappa, a 2018 third-round pick, played all 1,070 snaps for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 at guard, winning a Super Bowl ring along the way. The full list, going team-by-team,can be found here, courtesy of the NFLPA. First and foremost, with a win and a loss from the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals can still win the NFC West and secure a home game for at least Wild Card Weekend. Antonio Brown was the last starter from the Super Bowl LV championship squad to re-sign. Full class rankings from Scouts Inc. There's another $750,000 each for divisional playoffs and NFC Championship Game victories. There are three different $1 million incentives predicated on Norwell playing at least 70% on offense this season. Click here to see our full content schedule or subscribe now. NFL Distributes Performance-Based Payouts NFL Distributes Performance-Based Payouts April 10th, 2021 at 4:42pm CST by Zachary Links Since 2002, the NFL's performance-based pay system has rewarded low-salary players who exceed their expected playing time. The payday has been an annual staple since it was included in the collective bargaining agreement ratified in 2002. Full playoff schedule | More content . Ten were paid less than $1,000. How the NFL calculates its Performance Based Pay bonuses for players Preston Smith is another pass rusher with a reason to get to the quarterback this weekend. Nick Folk will make a little more than that on his one-year deal if he earns all of his $875,000 in incentives. He has nine sacks on the season, and the restructured deal offered a $500,000 bonus when he hit six sacks, and another $750,000 when he hit eight sacks on the season. Going into the 2020 regular season finale, it didn't seem like Antonio Brown had a chance at earning any of the $750,000 of incentives based on his individual statistical achievements. Here's a look at 2021 performance bonuses for 20 noteworthy players. NFL Distributes Performance-Based Payouts - Pro Football Rumors Currently at 55.2% of Baltimore's snaps, if he finishes the season playing over 50%, he'll make an extra $1.5 million -- which should happen -- or if he ends the season playing at least 55% of the Ravens' snaps, that'll bump to $2 million. First team All-Pro/All-NFL by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers of America or the Sporting News earns $1 million. The money can be earned back through playtime incentives. A team qualifier of improving from 2020 in touchdowns on returns and recoveries was added to make $850,000 of existing likely to be earned incentives unlikely. Incentives are usually designed to be classified as not likely to be earned (NLTBE), so that they will not count against the salary cap when a deal is signed. Finney was one of 13 players to earn bonuses of less than $1,000, with Houston Texans quarterback AJ McCarron receiving the second-smallest check at $316. Instead, some modifications were made to Howard's contract, including the addition of $3.5 million in incentives. An additional $1 million is for winning the Super Bowl with at least 50% participation in the game and 65% or more playtime during the regular season. The Titans moved $2 million of Henry's 2023 base salary into his 2022 compensation while leaving his $500,000 incentive for reaching 1,300 rushing yards intact. If Smith, somehow, has the game of his life and records five sacks, he will earn over $3 million for his efforts, as the contract allows for another $1.2 million bonus if he reaches 14 sacks on the season. "Today I finished my last one." Stefon Diggs' 2021, 2022 and 2023 base salaries increased by $658,333, $750,000 and $800,000 because he hit 100 catches or 1,375 receiving yards in 2020. Smith has thrown for 3,886 yards and 27 touchdowns. Now imagine what it must be like when you learn you have found an extra $622,056. This years top earner is Buccaneers guard Alex Cappa, a2018 third-round pick who played every single snap for the eventual champs. He has $1 million in playtime incentives. The team requirement was necessary to turn the $3.375 million of incentives Brady earned last season from likely to be earned to NLTBE. His take from the 2020 performance-based pay system: $5,653. His one-year, $4 million deal has $2.25 million in incentives. Armstead makes $300,000 for 65% or more offensive playtime, with an additional $400,000 for 70%. Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd entered Sunday's game needing a half-sack to earn a $1.25 million incentive, which perhaps explains his jubilant celebration when he took down Cardinals backup quarterback Chris Streveler to surpass the 10-sack mark. Throwing for at least 3,400 yards is worth $250,000. There are $2 million of incentives based on his receptions and receiving yards. Can the Lions fix their defense? The earned incentives are also added to Collins' 2023 base salary, which is currently $3.5 million. Here's a look at 2022 performance bonuses for 20 noteworthy players. Believe it or not, Stefon Diggs salary is on the line this weekend, in a manner of speaking. Jalen Hurts Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries, Bonuses There's another $500,000 with a Super Bowl victory.Whitworth's 2022 base salary increases by the same amounts with these playoff achievements, but his playtime requirement is 75%. Under his current deal, he earned a $250,000 bonus when he hit six sacks, and another $250,000 bonus when he secured his eighth sack of the season. In order for Collins to be at 80% or above playtime for the season, the Bengals can't have more than 147 offensive snaps over the final two regular-season games. Brady can earn $562,500 if he finishes in the top five in NFL passer rating. Conklin makes $1,333,334, $2,666.667 or $4 million, respectively, with a minimum of 55%, 65% or 75% offensive playtime. Richie Incognito, G, Raiders, $476,567.28: The veteran started 12 games for the Raiders in the franchise's final year in Oakland. How did the Rams come back? He enters Week 18 with the Patriots still having an outside shot at the top overall seed in the AFC having played 67% of New Englands defensive snaps. Green has 46 catches for 718 yards in 14 games this season. Xavien Howard wanted his contract redone to reflect the changing cornerback market after a league leading 10 interceptions last season. Finney. Clowney makes $250,000 for reaching 60% defensive playtime. $2 million of defensive playtime incentives were also inserted in the deal. A $1 million incentive for being selected to the Pro Bowl wasn't earned. Salary cap terms and tricks to know ahead of NFL free agency 8 at 100.5. Rodgers will earn an extra $100,000 for each of these categories if he finishes in the top three of the NFL and the Packers hit one other stipulation: They have to improve as a team in touchdowns on returns and recoveries. The NFL's performance-based pay system has been around since 2002, when it was included in the ratification of the collective bargaining agreement, and it rewards players who have had high playing time but are making low base salaries. So while those might be a stretch for Brady, he also enters the weekend leading the league with 40 touchdown passes, and leading the league with 4,990 passing yards. He also had an escalator clause in his base salary if he topped 1,375 receiving yards, which he also hit a season ago. Rams top Bengals after OBJ exits If the Buccaneers win the wild-card round, that jumps to $750,000. NFL Week 18 incentives watch -- Buccaneers' Tom Brady, Packers' Aaron ; rushing yards for a running back). There's also a $250,000 incentive for 45% offensive playtime during the regular season and a Super Bowl win where Brown is active for the game. Seattle needs to win the final two regular-season games and get some help from other teams to make the playoffs with a 9-8 record. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker earned a $750,000 incentive Sunday after eclipsing 60 catches for 750 yards this season. Experts on Round 1 | Home setups If it's one category, Green Bay has eclipsed this with two interception returns this season versus one last year. The team requirement was also added to touchdown passes and passing yards. Brady is also 12th in the league with 7.3 yards per attempt (Aaron Rodgers is fifth with 7.8). Week 18 Contract Incentives and Statistical Milestones Maximum: $3 millionExpected bonus: $750,000. Golden has already made $1 million because he is tied for eighth in the NFL with 11 sacks. If he plays 65% of New Englands defensive snaps this season the bonus is worth $375,000, and that rises to $625,000 if he plays 70% of New Englands snaps, $875,000 if he hits 75%, and $1 million if he plays on 80% of the Patriots defensive snaps. The necessary playtime thresholds are each 5% lower in this instance. From $383 to $654K -- NFL hands out performance-based bonuses - ESPN.com Giants cornerback James Bradberry needed two interceptions Sunday against the Cowboys to collect a $250,000 incentive. If that happens, it could cushion the blow of missing out on the Pro Bowl -- and the $1 million that would have come with that. Smith played sparingly after catching four passes for 46 yards early in the contest. Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s potential of $3 million in incentives doesn't start until the playoffs, where he'll earn $500,000 if he plays and the team wins in the wild-card round. Here's a look at 2021 performance bonuses for 20 noteworthy players. Getting five sacks is worth $250,000. He gets another $250,000 for 75% or more playtime and $125,000 more for at least 80% of New England's defensive snaps. Article 7, Section 4 of the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Prescott also must take at least 50% of Dallas' offensive snaps in the Super Bowl to collect. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, More NFL Contract Performance Incentives Interestingly enough, if he reaches this goal he might want to treat new teammate Melvin Ingram to something nice. Coupling an individual achievement with a team statistical performance also makes an incentive NLTBE.