NFL contract incentives, milestones Week 18: Sam Darnold headlines list
- - NFL contract incentives, milestones Week 18: Sam Darnold headlines list
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 5:03 AM
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Some are motivated by money. Others are motivated by deadlines. Plenty just want to be great.
When it comes to incentive bonuses in the NFL, those are one and the same. Even though the calendar flipped, countless teams are still paying the bills for 2025 and that statement balance is certain to grow before the end of Week 18.
Player incentive bonuses always come into focus during the final week of the regular season, primarily because it's the last chance to take home some additional cash before the long offseason.
Most of the playoff spots are locked up heading into the regular season final this year, but that doesn't mean that there isn't plenty on the line.
Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold isn't just playing for the NFC's No. 1 seed, but up to $2 million in bonuses in Week 18. Carolina Panthers' RB Rico Dowdle isn't just playing for the NFC South, but for the chance to earn more than his yearly salary in incentives. Washington Commanders' LB Von Miller is after both a $1 million bonus and bragging rights over a former teammate.
Incentives and milestones are on the line before the NFL playoffs kick off in a week's time. Here are some players across the league who can pad their stats and pockets in Week 18.
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makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
NFL contract incentives 2025
Contract numbers courtesy of Spotrac.
Sam Darnold, Seahawks QB
The Seahawks enter Week 18 with the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line against the San Francisco 49ers. If Darnold has a big game, it would not only be good for his team, but also his wallet.
Darnold can earn up to $2 million in incentives in Week 18 if he hits each of the following:
100 Passer Rating (99.2 currently): $500,000
28 TD Passes (Needs three in Week 18): $500,000
4,000 Passing Yards (Needs 150 passing yards): $500,000
67.5% Completion (67.2% currently): $500,000
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers QB
Rodgers doesn't have any performance-based incentives on the line in Week 18, but he does have some additional motivation to win. If the Steelers clinch a playoff spot, it would also result in a $500,000 bonus for Rodgers. Pittsburgh can get into the playoffs with a win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
Saquon Barkley, Eagles RB
Barkley and the Eagles haven't been able to replicate the same magic this season, but that doesn't mean the star running back can't pad his pockets in Week 18. He is just 87 scrimmage yards away from reaching 1,500 for the season. If he can hit that number, Barkley would walk away from the regular season with another $250,000.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers RB
Dowdle has enjoyed a career-year in Carolina and now he's in a good spot to enjoy a significant bonus too. The running back needs seven scrimmage yards to unlock a $1 million bonus and one touchdown to earn an additional $250,000.
He already took home $1.75 million in incentives for totaling six touchdowns and eclipsing 800, 950 and 1,100 scrimmage yards. If he hits those two remaining incentives in Week 18, Dowdle could end the regular season with $3 million in bonuses – not bad for a player that signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal in free agency.
Tony Pollard, Titans RB
The Titans have picked it up on offense in recent weeks and now Pollard can cash in. He needs 66 rushing yards to hit a $250,000 bonus for 1,100 rushing yards. He can add another $200,000 with two rushing touchdowns in Week 18.
Deebo Samuel, Commanders WR
Samuel is a do-it-all type of player, so it makes sense that his incentives reflect that. The Commanders receiver has both rushing and receiving incentives in his contract. Notably, those incentives are non-cumulative, meaning the bonuses do not stack like they would in other contracts.
Here's what is on the line for Samuel in Week 18:
800 receiving yards (Needs 93): $200,000
80 catches (Needs 10): $200,000
8 total touchdowns (Needs 2): $250,000
3 rushing touchdowns (Needs 2): $250,000
While the receiving yards, catches and traditional touchdown incentives are non-cumulative, Samuel would be able to take home $500,000 if he scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in Week 18. That would trigger the total touchdown incentive and rushing touchdown incentive in his contract.
Jauan Jennings, 49ers WR
Jennings has played at least 35 snaps on offense in 14 games this season. He already secured a $1.6 million bonus for achieving that mark in at least 10 games. If he does it in Week 18, that will trigger the bonus for 15 games and turn that $1.6 million bonus into $2.4 million.
Keenan Allen, Chargers WR
While the Chargers don't have a lot to play for in Week 18 with a playoff spot secured, Allen certainly does. He already triggered $2.25 million in bonuses this season and is within reach of another $1.25 million. The Chargers receiver needs six catches for $750,000, nine receiving yards for $250,000 and two touchdowns for $250,000.
Stefon Diggs, Patriots WR
Diggs already has $1 million in the bank for incentive bonuses this season. He can double that in Week 18 by earning $500,000 with eight more catches and $500,000 with 30 receiving yards. That would bring him to 90 catches and 1,000 yards for 2025.
Marquise Brown, Chiefs WR
It has been a tough year for the Chiefs, but Brown can at least walk away from it with some extra money in Week 18. He needs one more touchdown for $250,000 and can also secure a $125,000 bonus with 102 receiving yards to finish the season.
Khalil Shakir, Bills WR
The Bills are locked into a wild-card spot, so they don't have a lot to play for in Week 18. This will be, barring some playoff craziness, the final game at Highmark Stadium. Shakir can make it a memorable for for himself with one touchdown for $150,000 and eight catches for $150,000.
Hunter Henry, Patriots TE
Diggs isn't the only Patriots' pass-catcher with some extra money ripe for the taking in Week 18. Henry is just five catches away from heading to the postseason with another $250,000 in his bank account.
Von Miller, Commanders LB
The 36-year-old Miller is winding his 14th season on the field and 15th overall since entering the league. Could he also be winding down a career? Miller enters Week 18 with eight sacks on the season and would earn $1 million with one sack in the regular season finale.
It's worth noting that Miller is just one sack behind former teammate DeMarcus Ware, who finished his career with 138.5. Miller said during the offseason that it was important for him to pass Ware on the NFL's all-time sack list and he could retire if he had 140 career sacks. In other words, Miller has monetary and personal motivations on the line in Philadelphia.
NFL milestones Week 18 -
Bijan Robinson (vs. NO) needs 255 total yards to pass Chris Johnson for most scrimmage yards in an NFL season
Christian McCaffrey (vs. SEA) needs 110 receiving yards to become the first player in NFL history with multiple seasons with at least 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (at SF) needs 256 yards to pass Calvin Johnson Jr. for most receiving yards in a single season
Myles Garrett (at CIN) needs one sack to set a new NFL single-season sack record
Broncos (vs. LAC) need eight sacks to tie 1984 Bears for most sacks by a team in a season
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NFL season QB milestones Week 18 -
Passing yards needed to hit 4,000:
Sam Darnold (at SF): 150
Bo Nix (vs. LAC): 210
Trevor Lawrence (vs. TEN): 248
Caleb Williams (vs. DET): 270
NFL season RB milestones Week 18 -
Yards needed to hit 1,000:
Chase Brown (vs. CLE): 53
Kenneth Walker III (at SF): 70
Josh Jacobs (at MIN): 71
Jaylen Warren (vs. BAL): 108
Ashton Jeanty (vs. KC): 112
TreVeyon Henderson (vs. MIA): 142
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NFL season receivers milestones Week 18 -
Yards needed to hit 1,000:
Stefon Diggs (vs. MIA): 30
DeVonta Smith (vs. WSH): 44
Justin Jefferson (vs. GB): 53
Emeka Egbuka (vs. CAR): 70
Tetairoa McMillan (at TB): 71
Jaylen Waddle (at NE): 90
Michael Wilson (at LAR): 93
Christian McCaffrey (vs. SEA): 110
Alec Pierce (at HOU): 129
Kyle Pitts (vs. NO): 130
Drake London (vs. NO): 159
Receptions needed for 100:
Christian McCaffrey (vs. SEA): 4
George Pickens (at NYG): 8
Wan'Dale Robinson (vs. DAL): 8
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL player contract incentives: Sam Darnold among Week 18 list
Source: “AOL Sports”
