Buffalo may have a meaningless game against the New York Jets on Sunday, January 4th, but for some it's a big deal. Accounts who are trying to earn incentive bonuses before the end of the regular season.
A total of 24 Bills players have incentive bonuses in their contracts, with most of those incentives tied to regular-season statistical performance, according to Spotrac. But only five of those guys have any incentive to make the playoffs.
Advertising
This means the Jets game is the last chance for these players to get extra money out of their contracts.
We're not talking pocket changes here: incentives range from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on the player.
But there's a catch: Some of those players won't play on Sunday to avoid injury before the playoffs. Those players on offense who end up playing may have limited production.
Here's who can earn a big payday on Sunday:
Tre'Davious White could get a well-deserved bonus
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown (11) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium.
Bills CB Tre'Davious White is no longer the same player he was when he entered the NFL in 2017. But he quietly gave Buffalo much more than they could rightly expect.
Advertising
White will do 1 million dollars in incentives per playing time if his defensive snaps exceed 65%. Now its figure is 69.9%. If he raises on 75% of defensive snaps, the amount will jump to $1.5.
He also has one interception. One more and he'll get it 250 thousand dollars.
White started 15 games for the Bills this season. The last time he did this was in 2019.
Dawson Knox has money on the table
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox catches a pass for a first down during the first half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 7, 2025.
Dawson Knox's stats for 2025 are 34 catches for 393 yards and 3 touchdowns.. While he's coming off a career-best season in 2021 (49 catches, 587 yards, 9 touchdowns), it's his third-best season since he entered the league as a third-round draft pick in 2019.
Advertising
The tight end is 7 yards. ($100,000) and a touchdown ($150,000) from banking $250,000. Knox's performance in the final game depends entirely on whether and how long Josh Allen plays against the Jets. Considering he's had at least one catch in 14 of the Bills' 16 games this season, the yardage bonus should be the layup.
The only bonus that may not be available to the veteran tight end is 40 receptions. ($100 thousand). While he has one 6-catch game this season – 6 catches for 93 yards in a 39-34 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 – don't expect anything like that against the lowly Jets.
Knox may play his final home game against the Bills
If he manages to collect all three bonuses, it will be a fitting end to what could be his final home game. Veteran Bills reporter Sal Maiorana says: there was a conversation that the Bills could move on from Knox before next season because he has to count a whopping $17 million against the salary cap, and by releasing him after June 1, 2026, the team could save $12 million.
Advertising
If this is indeed his last year, he will leave Buffalo as the second-highest scoring tight end in Bills history. His 2,670 receiving yards rank second behind Pete Metzelaars (2,921). Knox is the all-time leader among Buffalo tight ends in receiving touchdowns (26).
Eight other bills are approaching bonus stages
Daquan Jones #92 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball after an interception in the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
-
DaQuan Jones need one more bag (currently 3) to earn 250 thousand dollars. He did not play in Week 17.
-
Joey Bosa has five bags and is located one distance from Bonus 250 thousand dollars. In 2025, Bosa completed 60.2% of defensive snaps. This means he is unlikely to qualify for a snap. US$250,000 bonus playing time if he is on the field for 65% of snaps.
-
Khalil Shakir has four touchdowns this season. One more and he'll get it 150 thousand dollars. Two more (6) and he pockets another one $150,000.
-
AJ Ebenezer played 43.4% of defensive snaps in 2025. If he brings this figure to 45%, he will make $250,000. However, he appeared on Bills injury report on Thursday due to illness.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 28: Christian Benford #47 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a pass breakup during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.
-
Christian Benford has two interceptions and is two steps away from $400,000.
-
Matt Milan (played 52.7% of defensive snaps so far) pockets 250 thousand dollars if he gets 55%. The oft-injured linebacker also has 3.5 sacks; Another 1.5 and that's extra 500 thousand dollars.
-
Ty Johnson is 53 receiving yards (125 thousand dollars) and two touchdowns (250 thousand dollars) away from cashing US$375,000 in the total amount of incentives.
-
Cam Lewis played 37.3% of defensive snaps. If he keeps it above 35% he will make money 150 thousand dollars. If Lewis manages to bring it to 40%, this bonus will become $200,000.
— Bill Walcott is a producer who helps cover Buffalo Billshigh school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker worked as a journalist for 31 years.
This article originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills veteran TreDavious White could earn more than $1 million from Jets game
