Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, and Saquon Barkley are poised to improve on their already impressive seasons.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Allen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mayfield, and Philadelphia Eagles running back Barkley are among the few players who can receive large bonuses based on individual and team postseason performance and/or league honors.
Six of the 14 playoff quarterbacks stand to benefit, including Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Detroit’s Jared Goff, and Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert.
Bonuses are not limited to top stars. Lavonte David, a Tampa Bay linebacker, can also collect. David’s pact for 2024 includes an additional $1 million in potential bonuses. Agency1 Athlete Management Group negotiated the agreement.
Allen stands to benefit the most. He could earn up to $12.5 million if the Bills reach the Super Bowl and he is named league MVP.
The fine print: Allen signed a six-year, $258 million deal in 2021 that provides a number of pathways to more revenue. Most include playing 60 percent of the Bills’ regular-season snaps, which he has met. Allen may earn $1 million if the Bills win the AFC Championship Game, $2.5 million if the Bills win the Super Bowl, and $1.5 million if he is chosen league MVP.
His contract in 2025 will increase by $2.5 million if he wins the AFC Championship Game and another $5 million if he wins the Super Bowl. He is now set to earn $14.5 million in 2025 due to the way the contract was designed to allow him to opt out after the 2025 season.
Baker Mayfield
QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 salary:Â $30 million
Potential bonus:Â $2.5 million
The fine print: Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million extension signed prior to the season includes an opt-out after the season if he chooses to forego a $30 million salary in 2025 and $40 million in 2026.
He already has earned $1 million in regular-season incentives and his can max out at $2.5 million if the Bucs win the Super Bowl. Along the way, he can earn $500,000 with a wild card victory, $1.25 million with a division round victory $1.75 million for the NFL title. Those bonuses are not cumulative.
Justin Herbert
QB, Los Angeles Chargers
2024 salary:Â $56,600 million
Potential bonus:Â $2.5 million
The fine print: Herbert’s five-year, $262.5 million contract extension signed in 2023 includes language that will pay him $1.25 million each for victories in the AFC title game and the Super Bowl if he plays 50 percent of the Chargers’ snaps.
Jared Goff
QB, Detroit Lions
2024 salary:Â $80.611 million
Potential bonus:Â $2 million
The fine print: Goff’s 2028 salary, which is currently set at $47 million, will increase by $1 million for each NFL MVP award or Super Bowl win. He can opt out after the 2027 season.
Mike Evans
WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 salary:Â $23 million
Potential bonus:Â $2 million
The fine print: Evans has already benefited. He added $3 million to his $18 million salary by finishing with at least 70 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and ten touchdowns. He enters the postseason at 74/1,004/11, earning $500,000 for each wild card, division round, conference title game, and Super Bowl win.
Patrick Mahomes
QB, Kansas City Chiefs
2024 salary:Â $45.75 million
Potential bonus:Â $1.25 million
The fine print: Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million contract extension in 2020, following the first of his three Super Bowl victories, includes two annual escalators: 1) $1.25 million for winning MVP and making the AFC championship game, and 2) $1.25 million for winning the Super Bowl and playing half of the regular-season or Super Bowl snaps. He can reach the second.
Jalen Hurts
QB, Philadelphia Eagles
2024 salary:Â $64.3 million
Potential bonus:Â $1 million
The fine print: Hurts’ salaries in the final four seasons of his five-year $255 million extension will increase by $500,000for every Super Bowl win and for every MVP award he receives during the length of the deal.
Lavonte David
LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 salary:Â $8.5 million
Potential bonus:Â $1 million
The fine print: It never hurts to have knowledgeable representation. Lavonte returned to the Bucs for his 13th season, signing a one-year contract that includes $250,000 bonuses for appearances in the NFC wild card game, division round, conference title game, and Super Bowl.
Saquon Barkley
RB, Philadelphia Eagles
2024 salary:Â $13.75 million
Potential bonus:Â $500,000
The fine print: Barkley has already received an additional $750,000 in incentive money for exceeding 2,000 yards rushing and making the Pro Bowl, and he appears to be a lock to win another $500,000 for being named first-team All Pro, which will be revealed soon. He can earn an additional $250,000 if the Eagles win the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.
