Entering the final week of the season, the majority of eyes around the NFL will be on the playoff picture, but for some players, there are also financial incentives at stake.
With just one more game to hit contractual bonuses, we may see teams feed their players the ball to hit a certain number. Let’s examine some of the more notable NFL player incentives entering Week 18.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of incentives for Week 18. Additionally, some teams who rest players in the final weeks will later agree to a contract restructure to ensure the players get their money even if they do not hit their incentive.
Top NFL Contract Incentives for Week 18
Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Week 18 is huge for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.
If Evans catches five passes and records 85 receiving yards, he will earn a $3 million bonus for reaching 70 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.
Evans is also trying to extend his NFL-record streak of 1,000-yard seasons to start a career. With 85 receiving yards, he would hit 1,000 yards for the 11th season in a row, tying Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has said that he’ll try to get Evans past 1,000 yards.
Zach Ertz, TE, Commanders
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has three different incentives he could hit in Week 18 totaling $750,000:
- With nine receptions, he will earn $250,000.
- With 90+ receiving yards, he will earn $250,000.
- With two receiving TDs, he will earn $250,000.
Ertz already earned $750,000 in incentives during Washington’s Week 17 playoff-clinching win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith can earn $6 million in incentives during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams:
- If he throws for 185 passing yards, he will earn a $2 million bonus.
- If he posts a 69.7% completion percentage, he will earn a $2 million bonus.
- If the Seahawks defeat the Rams, he will earn another $2 million bonus.
Seattle has been eliminated from the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see if they let Smith play the entire game and potentially earn these incentives.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a pair of incentives he can hit in Week 18:
- If he catches nine passes, he will earn $250,000 yards.
- If he records 140 receiving yards, he will earn $250,000.
With that said, Kansas City has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and head coach Andy Reid plans to rest many of his starters. It remains to be seen if Hopkins will play.
MORE: Which NFL Teams Are Resting Their Starters in Week 18?
Tony Pollard, RB, Titans
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has two incentives he can hit in Week 18:
- If he rushes for 83 yards, he will earn $250,000.
- If he scores two rushing touchdowns, he will earn a $200,000 bonus.
Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens
If Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushes for a touchdown in Week 18, he would earn a $500,000 bonus for reaching 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Chargers
If Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins rushes for 58 yards in Week 18, he will earn a $150,000 bonus.
Joe Mixon, RB, Texans
If Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon rushes for 107 rushing yards in Week 18, he will earn $250,000.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
If Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton records 82 receiving yards in Week 18, he will earn a $500,000 bonus.
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
If Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray rushes for 50 yards and scores a rushing touchdown in Week 18, he will earn a $750,000 bonus.
Cooper Rush, QB, Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush will earn a $500,000 bonus if he plays 55% of the team’s snaps this season. He is currently at 52.5% of the snaps, so playing in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders could get him there.
There have been some rumblings that Trey Lance will see time under center in Week 18, potentially ruining Rush’s shot at this bonus. But even if Rush doesn’t get to 55%, he will still earn a $250,000 bonus for playing 45% of the Cowboys’ snaps.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Saints
If New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling scores a touchdown in Week 18, he will earn a $250,000 bonus.