NFL QBs Smith, Mayfield Among Those With Big Money At Stake In Week 18

The final game of the regular season may not mean that much to the Seattle Seahawks, who were eliminated from the playoffs last week. But for quarterback Geno Smith, it could be a $6 million afternoon.

Smith is one of many NFL players whose contract includes performance bonuses based on regular-season numbers. It is one way for NFL players to add to their earnings in a league in which few contracts are guaranteed, something that is the norm in other major professional sports.

Smith, for example, has bonuses for season passing yards, completion percentage, touchdown passes, passer rating and team victories. Three are within reach Sunday.

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers’ teammate wide receiver Mike Evans, Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, Kansas City wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray are among those who also can fatten their wallets this weekend.

Bonuses are a perk usually only available to veterans, and they can be used as a final lure in the free agent market.

Smith stands to benefit from the incentives included in the three-year, $75 million contact extension he signed after his career season for the Seahawks in 2022, his first in the Northwest.

His deal includes a $10 million roster bonus for 2025, and he could increase that to $16 million if things go his way against the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Mayfield could net $2.5 million in bonuses based on his final regular-season rankings. Evans has $5 million on the table based on regular season rankings, including a contract escalator for the 2025 season.

Henry already has earned $1.5 million in his first season in Baltimore and could add another $500,000. Hopkins is within reach of an extra $750,000.

Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones reached a $1.25 million incentive with this sack in the final week of the 2023 regular season.

Some of the regular-season rewards are more likely than others.

Geno Smith

QB, Seattle Seahawks

Stats: 4,097 yards passing, 17 TDs, 15 INTs, 70.2 completion percentage, 90.5 QB rating

The fine print: Smith’s $10 million roster bonus is due March 16, and he could increase that to $16 million Sunday. The bonus will increase by $2 million bonus if he throws for at least 186 yards against the Rams, because it would surpass his career high of 4,282 yards set in 2022, the season on which all his bonuses are based. He would add $2 million to the bonus if he finishes with a completion percentage higher than 69.755 percent. It sits at 70.236, and going 26 for 40 against the Rams would be good enough to cash in. He would add another $2 million if the Seahawks (9-7) reach 10 victories.

Baker Mayfield

QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Stats: 4,279 passing yards, 39 TDs, 15 INTs, 71.7 completion percentage, 107.6 QB rating

The fine print: Some of Mayfield’s potential bonus money is straightforward, some is more convoluted. He will earn $500,000 apiece for finishing in the top five in the NFL passer rating; in the top NFL 10 or NFC top 5 in completion percentage; and in the NFL top 10 or NFC top five in yards per attempt. He enters the finale against New Orleans ranked fourth in passer rating, second in completion percentage and seventh in yards per attempt.

In a somewhat complicated formula, Mayfield also will earn $500,000 for 1) improved passer rating, completion percentage, interception percentage, passing yards, yards per attempt and touchdown passes AND finishing in the NFL top 10 or NFC top 5 in touchdown passes. He is eligible for another $500,000 using the same criteria above AND finishing in the NFL top 10 or NFC top 5 in passing yards.

Mike Evans

WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Stats: 65 receptions, 915 yards, 11 TDs

The fine print: Evans can add $3 million to his scheduled 2025 salary of $18 million if he finishes the season with 70 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. He will get there with five catches and 85 yards against the Saints. He is almost certain to add another $2 million by finishing in the top 10 in touchdown catches. He is fourth now, with three more touchdown catches than the four players who rank 11th.

Derrick Henry

RB, Baltimore Ravens

Stats: 1,783 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns

The fine print: Henry already has cashed in in his first season in Baltimore. He has earned $500,000 apiece for reaching 1,200 and 1,500 yards rushing, and he earned another $500,000 for surpassing 13 touchdowns. A touchdown Sunday would be worth another $500,000, and the Ravens have an incentive to go hard Saturday because a victory would clinch the AFC North title.

DeAndre Hopkins

WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Stats: 56 receptions, 610 yards, 5 TDs

The fine print: Hopkins will need a big weekend for his payday, which could be especially problematic inasmuch as the Chiefs might rest some of their regulars against Denver after clinching the AFC No. 1 seed. Hopkins would earn $250,000 each for 65 receptions and 750 yards. He already has earned $250,000 for surpassing four touchdowns, and he would earn $250,000 for reaching six and another $250,000 for getting to eight.

Kyler Murray

QB, Arizona Cardinals

Stats: 550 rushing yards, 5 TDs

The fine print: Murray, due $18 million in 2025 as part of a five-year contract extension signed in 2002, can add $750,000 to his 2025 salary if he reaches 600 yards rushing and six touchdowns.