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The NFL’s Pro Bowl Games may not be the spectacle it once was—but being named on a roster is still a sign of a successful season. And for some players, that could mean some financial incentives as well.
Ten NFL players received bonuses for being named to this year’s Pro Bowl. The incentives totaled $3.05 million and ranged from $150,000 to $500,000. There were two offensive players, six defensive players, and two special teamers—both are punters—who received bonuses.
Here’s the list, according to Spotrac:
- Brenden Schooler (S, Patriots): $500,000
- Vita Vea (NT, Buccaneers): $500,000
- Logan Cooke (P, Jaguars): $400,000
- Marlon Humphrey (CB, Ravens): $250,000
- Rashan Gary (DL, Packers): $250,000
- Xavier McKinney (S, Packers): $250,000
- Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles): $250,000
- Landon Dickerson (G, Eagles): $250,000
- Terry McLaurin (WR, Commanders): $250,000
- Jack Fox (P, Lions): $150,000
While six-figure payouts are no small sum, they are worth more for certain players. Schooler, who is in his third season, is on a three-year, $9 million contract with only $3.6 million in guaranteed money. The $500,000 incentive accounts for 14% of the guaranteed money in his entire three-year deal.
Cooke’s $400,000 incentive is 20% of the $2 million he was set to receive this season from his base pay and workout bonus. Fox, the other punter on this list but also the one with the smallest bonus, is on a four-year, $14 million contract. His $150,000 incentive accounts for about a 4% increase in his yearly salary.
Some of the veteran stars on the list already have massive eight-figure deals, including Humphrey (five years, $97.5 million), Gary (four years, $96 million), and Vea (four years, $71 million).
Mahomes Misses Out
The Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC after their Christmas Day win over the Steelers, putting them in position to give their starters nearly a month of rest before their playoff push to a third straight Super Bowl.
However, even with the league-leading 15–1 record, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was not named a Pro Bowler for the first time since his rookie year—when he started just one game. The AFC’s three Pro Bowl quarterbacks are Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson, all leading MVP candidates.
Should Mahomes not play in Week 18, he’ll finish the year with 26 touchdown passes—tied with 2019 for the fewest in his career (not including his rookie season), though he played two fewer games that season. Mahomes agreed to a 10-year, $450 million contract with the Chiefs in 2020.
