• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

NFL Players Cash In: Deal Incentives Hit in Final Week of Regular Season

The Buccaneers wide receiver and Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith were huge winners in Week 18, as they finished with lucrative season-long stat lines.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The NFL regular season concluded with several star players reaching major contract incentive goals in Week 18.

While not quite the most lucrative, perhaps the most notable was Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans earning $3 million en route to his 11th consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards, which ties a record held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

Evans needed five receptions and 85 yards against the Saints to reach his contract incentive (at least 70 receptions and 1,000 yards). The catches came easy—he finished with nine—but it took until the game’s final play to reach the needed yardage mark. 

After New Orleans turned the ball over on downs with 36 seconds remaining, Tampa Bay, leading 27–19, could have taken a knee to run out the clock and clinch the NFC South. Instead, the Bucs drew up a play for Evans, who caught a walk-off nine-yard reception to keep his 1,000-yard-season streak (he finished with 1,004) alive—and cash in, too.

The $3 million bonus for Evans comes by way of an escalator for his 2025 salary. Last offseason, Evans signed a two-year, $41 million extension with the Bucs. He has made more than $133 million in his 11-year career, according to Spotrac.

Can’t Pass This Up

Two quarterbacks for teams already eliminated from the playoffs showcased the opposing side of the wild world of NFL contract incentives.

Seahawks signal-caller Geno Smith, in the second season of a three-year, $75 million contract, added $6 million to his earnings in Week 18. Smith earned $2 million each for the following:

  • Passing for at least 4,282 yards: Smith threw for 223 Sunday to finish with 4,320.
  • Finishing the season with a completion percentage over 69.755%: Smith went 20–27 Sunday to finish at 70.4% on the season.
  • Leading the Seahawks to at least 10 wins: Seattle beat the Rams, who rested key starters with the NFC West already clinched, to improve to 10–7.

Earlier in the afternoon, Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who had been starting since Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury in Week 6, didn’t get a chance to add to his salary. 

Rush, in the second season of a two-year, $5 million contract, could have earned an additional $250,000 by playing more than 55% of offensive snaps for Dallas this season. After Week 17, he had played 52.5%, but the Cowboys chose to start third-string quarterback Trey Lance against the Commanders on Sunday. Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones told reporters he was unaware of the incentive

Rush did earn a separate $250,000 incentive for playing more than 45% of snaps.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.

Tight End U Has Sponsors, Golf, and Taylor Swift. Travel Could Be..

The annual summit is hosted by Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen.

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.

Diamondbacks Score Up to $500M for Chase Field Renovation

Concerns about another potential team relocation in Arizona influence the vote.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jun 22, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.

PGA Tour’s $20M Signature Events Finish 2025 Season Up in TV Ratings

The Travelers Championship was the last of eight elevated events this year.
Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.
June 24, 2025

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
June 24, 2025

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 23, 2025

NBA Offseason: Draft Drama, Free Agency, and a Critical Owners Meeting

The 2025 NBA draft will be on June 25 and 26.
June 23, 2025

NBA Conference Gap Wider Than Ever Amid Injuries to East’s Best

A team from the West has won the NBA title 17 times since 2000.
June 22, 2025

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.
June 22, 2025

WNBA Players Drop Fresh Statement in CBA Fight: ‘We Want a Fair..

The WNBA All-Star Game is less than four weeks away.