• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 18, 2025

Little-Known NFL Pay System Doles Out Hundreds of Millions in Annual Bonuses

  • Jets lineman John Simpson led all NFL players with a $975,000 bonus.
  • The performance-based pay system is a way to reward players with heavy play time and low salaries.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Taking your team to the Super Bowl as Mr. Irrelevant doesn’t guarantee you’ll also be Mr. PBP. 

The NFL released its list of players who received the most bonuses for performance-based play, and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy came in 24th, with Jets offensive lineman John Simpson leading the way with almost $975,000 in additional money. Purdy added almost $740,000 despite leading San Francisco to Super Bowl LVIII, where they lost in overtime to the Chiefs. 

For years, the NFL has had a little-known performance-based pay pool, which gives bonuses to players based on playing time and their regular salary. Only the base salary and snap count matter; lower-paid players who play a lot benefit the most.

Take Simpson, for example. In 2023, he earned just over $1 million off a one-year contract with the Ravens after spending the previous season on the practice squad, making roughly $200,000. Simpson’s PBP bonus this year nearly equaled his ’23 salary. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship had a similar bonus as he finished second on the list with a $923,000 bonus after making $985,000 this past season in Philadelphia. Blankenship was undrafted out of Middle Tennessee, which explains why his contract was so low. 

The PBP system was established in 2002 as part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association and has been renewed in three subsequent CBAs. Since its inception, the PBP system has paid out nearly $2.4 billion in player bonuses in the 20-plus years it’s existed. The program started out with a pool of $15 million in bonuses and has grown to $394 million in bonuses for ’23. 

Former NFL cornerback Domonique Foxworth has floated the idea of using the PBP system as a way to fix the running back market, as the once-premium position now earns less than kickers despite taking a beating.

Despite being pretty far down on the bonus list, Purdy, who is due for a contract extension anyway, still got quite the extra paycheck. His bonus was about $740,000, which isn’t far off from his 2023 base salary of $870,000. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.
exclusive

Bill Belichick UNC Series Heading to Hulu After ‘Hard Knocks’ Breakdown

The series lands at Hulu after a deal with HBO fell through.
Lloyd Howell

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
July 18, 2025

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
July 18, 2025

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
exclusive
July 17, 2025

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.
July 17, 2025

Cleveland’s WNBA Team Follows Golden State’s Proven Blueprint

The franchise will play its first WNBA season in 2028.
July 17, 2025

MLB’s Largest Payrolls Could Swell Further at Trade Deadline

As the MLB trade deadline nears, anxiety grows around the sport.