• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

How the Bills and Commanders Got Paid for Playoff Heartbreak

Buffalo and Washington won’t go to the Super Bowl, but their conference championship appearances still give them a solid payday.

Josh Allen
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Losing stings.

Money helps.

The Bills and Commanders won’t advance to the Super Bowl after falling to the Chiefs and Eagles on Sunday in the AFC and NFC title games, respectively.

Still, the semifinalists will get a payday from the league for making it to the NFL’s final four, as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

Here’s a breakdown of the earnings for Bills and Commanders players:

  • Each Bills player made $54,500 for winning the AFC East. Each Commanders player earned $49,500 for making it to the wild-card round.
  • Bills and Commanders players earned $54,500 for making the divisional round.
  • Bills and Commanders players made $77,000 for appearing in their respective conference championships.
  • In total, the deep postseason runs earned each Bills player $186,000 and each Commanders player $181,000.
  • Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner triggered a $500,000 bonus for making the playoffs after playing a certain percentage of regular-season snaps.

All players on the roster or injured reserve are eligible for the wild-card and divisional bonuses. The conference championships are more specific to benefit players who spent significant time with the team. Rostered players get fully paid only if they’ve played at least three games with that team already, and players who aren’t on the roster but spent at least eight games with the team can also get the full amount (if they aren’t signed to another team in that conference). Other rules exist to give players a half or quarter of the bonus based on their time with the team or injury or veteran status.

Generally speaking, a 53-man roster of full bonuses would total $9,858,000 for Buffalo players and $9,593,000 for Washington players. Including injured reserve and special cases, it’s likely the total amount for both teams crosses the eight-figure threshold. This money comes from the league, not from Buffalo or Washington.

Player pay in the playoffs is relatively low compared to the regular season. For example, a $45,020 fine Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey received for hitting Josh Allen in the divisional round wiped out nearly his entire $54,500 paycheck from that game. In the regular season, Humphrey makes more than $600,000 per game.

Stakes are higher in the Super Bowl. Winning players will get $171,000 apiece, while losing players will get $96,000. An Eagles win would give players $357,000 apiece for the full playoff run, and Chiefs players $352,000 (Kansas City’s first-round bye makes $5,000 less in the wild-card round than division-winning, bye-less Philadelphia.)

Allen would have made an extra $1 million if the Bills beat the Chiefs on Sunday night, and he could’ve made another $2.5 million for winning the Super Bowl.

Players aren’t the only ones who have contract incentives for playoff runs. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott and Washington coach Dan Quinn likely both triggered bonuses in their contracts. Coaching contract details aren’t usually public, though Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh made $1 million just for making the wild-card round. McDermott and Quinn have smaller salaries than Harbaugh, but they advanced much farther than the Chargers, who lost that wild-card game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.
Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.