Incentives and Playoff Dreams: NFL Players Cash In
In the world of professional sports, where every yard, catch, and touchdown can translate into significant financial gain, the stakes are always high. This past weekend, the NFL saw several players either cash in on lucrative incentives or fall just short of their goals. Let’s dive into the stories of those who made it and those who didn’t, starting with Denver Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton.
Sutton had been in a tense contract negotiation with the Broncos, considering reporting late to training camp due to what he described as “a stalemate.” The resolution? An additional $1.5 million in incentives. On Sunday, Sutton’s strategy paid off as he racked up enough receiving yards in a playoff-clinching win over the Kansas City Chiefs to trigger his final $500,000 bonus, maxing out those incentives.
“That was a big topic of conversation this weekend,” Sutton said post-game. “I’m not going to downplay it, it’s nice. However, the biggest thing for me was we needed to win this game. That was the most important thing to me.”
Sutton finished the game with five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, bringing his season total to 1,081 yards, surpassing the 1,065-yard mark needed to trigger the bonus. The reception that did it was a 32-yarder just before halftime. Although he missed out on an extra $200,000 for not reaching 1,500 yards, Sutton was content with the playoff berth, even if the Chiefs rested most of their key starters.
The No. 7 seed Broncos are set to face the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS). “We didn’t take care of the first opportunities we had [to clinch a playoff berth] with the Chargers and the Bengals, so this was a very important game,” Sutton said. “We didn’t care who was playing. We didn’t care who the Chiefs were sitting.”
In the Millions
Over in Seattle, quarterback Geno Smith needed a strong finish to the regular season to secure a future payday. He earned $6 million in contract escalators with the team’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams. By Seattle reaching 10 wins and Smith finishing with more than 4,282 passing yards and a completion percentage greater than 69.75%, the veteran quarterback will add that $6 million to a $10 million roster bonus he is set to earn in 2025.
However, there’s a twist. For Smith to earn that money, he has to be on the Seahawks’ roster by March 16. This added dollar total gives Seattle greater incentive to determine whether Smith remains the team’s long-term starter.
Meanwhile, Von Miller of the Buffalo Bills didn’t waste any time cashing in on a major incentive. A third-down sack on the first defensive series of the final game netted Miller his sixth sack of the season and an extra $1.5 million in incentives, reaching a total of $4 million. “I wasn’t even thinking about it,” Miller said after the game. “But everybody, my teammates, were saying, ‘Just get one.'”
Six-Figure Rewards
In Cincinnati, Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki needed just three receiving yards to hit 600 for the season and secure an additional $125,000 in incentives. The Bengals didn’t waste any time, with their first passing play of the game being a 12-yard completion to Gesicki. After the game, quarterback Joe Burrow praised Gesicki’s value to the team and advocated for his return next season.
Two Green Bay Packers teammates, safeties Xavier McKinney and Rashan Gary, each earned a $250,000 bonus for making the Pro Bowl. McKinney had a standout season with eight interceptions, while Gary contributed 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
A Dollar Short
Not everyone was as fortunate. Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush did not get the start in Week 18, missing out on a playing-time incentive that would have earned him an additional $250,000. Rush finished the season with 48.9% playing time, just shy of the 55% needed.
After the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones downplayed the incentive as the reason for starting Trey Lance instead. “I didn’t even know about it until I read about it,” Jones said.
In Arizona, quarterback Kyler Murray needed a bigger performance in the finale to earn $750,000 but fell short by 28 yards and a touchdown. Similarly, Titans running back Tony Pollard needed 1,110 rushing yards to secure a $250,000 bonus but fell 21 yards short.
These stories highlight the high-stakes world of NFL incentives, where every play can have significant financial implications. As the playoffs approach, players and teams alike will be looking to capitalize on every opportunity, both on and off the field.
Originally Written by: Ben Baby
