When the Miami Dolphins play the Tennessee Titans on national TV Monday night, it should be a spotlight game for the NFL‘s most-improved defense.
But a big part of that ascendant unit will be a spectator. Linebacker Jerome Baker is out for at least the next four weeks after suffering a knee injury last Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
But as painful a loss as that might be for the Dolphins, it’ll hurt Baker even more. He was on the verge of earning at least another $250,000 — and perhaps even more — in playtime incentives that are now out of reach.
A Look at Miami Dolphins 2023 Incentives
Baker has been on the field for 86.8% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps this year, putting him ahead of pace to qualify for a quarter-million incentive written into his contract.
Per Over the Cap, Baker needed to be on the field for 85% of the team’s snaps in 2023 plus have the Dolphins finish in the top 20 in points allowed to trigger the $250,000 in additional compensation. If he was on the field for 90% of the team’s snaps and the Dolphins finished top 20 in scoring, that bonus would double to a half-million.
But by missing the next four games, that contract language becomes moot.
Baker is not alone among Dolphins whose compensation is tied to production. Here are some other key Dolphins players who could make themselves money in the season’s final month.
Outside Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel
The Jaelan Phillips injury has made for a bigger role for Andrew Van Ginkel. In the process, it’s made incentives once seen as a long shot far more realistic.
Van Ginkel through 12 games has four sacks and has been on the field for 63.5% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps.
So long as Miami’s defense shows the improvement stipulated in his contract, Van Ginkel is on pace to earn an additional $375,000 in playtime incentives (he needs to log 55% of the team’s defensive snaps to do so).
He also has production goals. Van Ginkel’s next sack will likely earn him an additional $150,000, although it’s unlikely he’ll get the five more he needs by season’s end to unlock the maximum total of $375,000.
Tackle Terron Armstead
Oft-injured left tackle Terron Armstead will fall short of all of his play-time incentives (he could have earned up to $1.9 million over his base salary had he stayed healthy).
MORE: Titans vs. Dolphins Predictions — 7 Crucial Stats Plus Players To Watch
But he still has a decent chance of being a Pro Bowler. Armstead, as of last week, led all AFC tackles among fan voting. If he makes the Pro Bowl, he earns another $650,000.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb
Bradley Chubb is another Dolphins player who would cash in by making the Pro Bowl Games. His nine-figure contract, which made him one of the highest-paid outside linebackers in football, includes a $250,000 bonus if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2023.
Chubb’s stats — 6.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits — are solid, but he probably needs a strong finish to make the game for the third time in the last four years.
Cornerback Xavien Howard
Xavien Howard made the Pro Bowl on reputation in 2022. If he gets back in 2023, he will have earned it.
Howard is quietly having an excellent season for Miami and would earn $1 million if he’s named either an All-Pro or Pro Bowler and the Dolphins show team improvement that OTC doesn’t specify in its database.
Running Back Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert is on track to be among the Dolphins’ biggest winners in terms of incentives earned this season.
With 974 yards from scrimmage this year, he’s already met the necessary thresholds to trigger $1 million in additional compensation. The Dolphins still need to hit unspecified team improvements, but given the huge step forward Miami’s offense has taken this year, that seems likely.
More Dolphins Incentives in Play
- TE Durham Smythe — who never comes off the field — would earn $250,000 with 55% playtime and the Dolphins finish top 20 in points scored.
- Baker’s injury means more playing time (and potentially more money) for LB David Long Jr. He was already on track to earn $250,000 for 65% playtime, but another quarter-mil is in play if he gets to 75%. (Long currently has a 68.1% participation rate.)
- WR Tyreek Hill can already spend the $250,000 he’s set to earn in incentives for making the Pro Bowl. Only three players had more fan votes in the entire league as of last week.
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