Aaron Rodgers could earn more than his base salary in bonuses this season if he takes over Pittsburgh Steelers deep into the playoffs.
Rodgers is one of several NFL stars, including several high-profile quarterbacks, who could earn millions more in bonuses if they hit key milestones or statistical milestones before the end of this season.
If the Steelers make the playoffs, Rodgers will earn an additional $500,000. A wild card win in Pittsburgh would earn him another $600,000. Divisional round win? Rogers will receive another $750,000.
The money only grows as the rates rise. If the Steelers win the AFC Championship, Rodgers will receive an additional $1 million. The Super Bowl win, which would be Rodgers' second, would earn him $1.5 million.
Rodgers will have to make at least 50% of his offense every game to earn those dollars. The 21-year veteran signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with Pittsburgh, but his base salary is technically only $3.65 million.
If the Steelers (9-6) win the Super Bowl with Rodgers at quarterback, the future Hall of Famer could earn a total of $5.85 million in bonuses.
The Steelers have yet to make the playoffs, but they are in first place in the AFC North standings and ahead of the team. Baltimore Ravens two games in the loss column. Pittsburgh has already beaten Baltimore once on the road and will host the Ravens in Week 18. ESPN Research projects the Steelers to have a 93.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 44.4% chance of advancing to the divisional round.
Rodgers owns an 11-10 playoff record, all in games with Green Bay Packers. He hasn't made the postseason since 2021.
The NFL divides incentives into two categories. – “likely to be earned” and “probably not to be earned” – based on the past performance of the player and team. “Probable” incentives count toward the current year's limit, and if it is not reached, the team receives credit for the following year. If these are achieved, the “unlikely” incentives will be included in next season's cap.
Here are some more incentives coming in the next couple of weeks. All data comes through the registry management system.
Mayfield and the Bucs have struggled as of late, losing six of their last seven games. And Mayfield, who is dealing with a left shoulder injury, hasn't been as good down the stretch as he was earlier this season.
But the resurgent quarterback still has a chance to earn incentives at the end of the season. Mayfield could receive a $500,000 bonus for finishing in the top 10 in the NFL or top five in the NFC in each of the following metrics: passer rating, touchdown passes, total passing yards, completion percentage and yards per pass.
Mayfield's cap hit is $2.5 million, although he's unlikely to hit the mark in all of those categories.
Mayfield is tied for 11th in the NFL in passing yards with the Chicago Bears' Rodgers. Caleb Williams and Green Bay Packers Jordan Love with 23 points, one behind the Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts and Seattle Seahawks Sam Darnold. Mayfield is tied for sixth in the NFC with Williams and Love.
Mayfield ranks 13th in the NFL and seventh in the NFC in total passing yards. He won't reach the other three categories – passer rating, completion percentage and yards per pass.
With a pair of big plays in Weeks 16 and 17, Mayfield has a chance to earn an additional $1 million.
In his first contract with the Seahawks, Darnold has plenty of incentives for performance and teamwork.
Darnold can earn an additional $500,000 with a passer rating of 100.0 or higher this season, plus another $500,000 each if he has 28 or more passing touchdowns, 4,000 or more passing yards or a completion percentage of 67.5% or higher.
Darnold's bonuses are also tied to Seahawks play. If they finish in the top 10 in the NFL in total offense, Darnold will receive an additional $500,000. He'll get the same amount if they make the playoffs, which they've already clinched.
Even more money will be made if Seattle makes the playoffs in the postseason. Darnold will receive a $1 million bonus if the Seahawks win the division round, $1.5 million if they win the NFC Championship or $2.5 million if they win the Super Bowl. He will have to play at least 70% of the team's offensive chances during such a series for the incentives to work.
In total, Darnold could earn himself an additional $5 million in bonuses on top of the three-year, $100.5 million contract he signed in the offseason after leaving the Vikings.
And he has a decent chance of making the most of these escalators. Darnold currently has a 100.6 passer rating and has thrown 24 touchdown passes, 3,703 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage. The Seahawks rank eighth in total offense.
Bosa's one-year, $12,610,000 contract with the Bills was loaded with incentives this offseason.
One bonus is tied to the total number of Bosa bags. Six bags will earn him an additional $250,000. If he gets to eight, that figure rises to $750,000. From there it only goes up. If Bosa collects 10 sacks, he will earn an additional $1.5 million, and 12 will earn him $2 million.
Bosa currently has five sacks, so he still has a chance to earn some bonus money.
He can also earn an additional $250,000 with 45% playing time, $750,000 with 55% playing time, or $1 million with 65% playing time. Bosa's shareholding currently stands at 64.9%.
The maximum he can earn is $3 million.
Samuel is determined to make some money at the end of the season.
If Samuel reaches 700 receiving yards, he will earn $250,000. That amount rises to $450,000 for 800 yards or $650,000 for 900 yards.
Samuel has similar escalators for receiving and landing.
If he reaches 60 receptions, he will earn an additional $250,000. With 70 receptions, that would be $450,000, and 80 receptions would net him $650,000. Eight touchdowns will earn Samuel $250,000. That amount rises to $375,000 with nine touchdowns, $500,000 with 10, $625,000 with 11, or $750,000 with 12.
In week 18, Samuel had already completed several of these tasks. He has 70 receptions, 707 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.
Allen has plenty of accolades in his first year with the Chargers.
If he completes 40 receptions, he will earn an additional $250,000. This amount increases by $250,000 at 50 admissions, 60 admissions and 71 admissions. If Allen makes 80 receptions, he will earn an additional $750,000 on top of the rest.
Allen has the same escalators as Samuel for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
After reaching 500 receiving yards, Allen will receive a $250,000 bonus. That figure increases by $250,000 at 625, 740 and 875 yards. If Allen reaches 1,000 yards, he will earn $750,000 on top of previous numbers.
Six touchdowns would earn Allen another $250,000. That bonus increases by $250,000 for eight touchdowns.
Allen's remaining bonuses are tied to team performance. If Allen has 40 receptions and the Chargers make the postseason, he will earn an additional $250,000. This amount increases by $250,000 for 50 receptions and 60 receptions plus playoffs. Allen will earn another $250,000 if he makes 40 receptions and the team plays in the divisional round. That amount increases by $250,000 based on 40 receptions and an AFC Championship Game appearance and 40 receptions and a Super Bowl appearance.
Allen can earn a maximum of $5.5 million and is already in line for bonuses. Allen has 73 receptions for 724 yards and four touchdowns. The Chargers have already clinched the playoffs and have a 52.2% chance of advancing to the divisional round, according to ESPN Research.
No big name player could make more money from bonuses this holiday season than Chubb, who has $9.6 million in potential bonus earnings.
Chubb can earn $1.225 million with 60% playing time. He would have earned $900,000 more if he played 65% of the time; $900,000 more at 70%, $900,000 more at 75%, and another $900,000 more at 78% of play time.
He could earn a $1.225 million bonus with six sacks. In addition, Chubb will earn an additional $900,000 with eight sacks, another $900,000 additional with 11 sacks and another $900,000 additional with 13 sacks.
Chubb now has 6.5 sacks and is playing 71% of his playing time.
