There is still plenty to be decided during Week 18 of the 2024-25 NFL season. Some teams are fighting for a playoff berth while others are jostling for seeding and position, but there is more at stake at an individual level. There are plenty of players around the league that are on the fringe of statistical milestones, ones that can earn them big bucks based on incentives built into their contracts.
NFL Contract Incentives: Which Players Can Earn Big Money In Week 18?
Which players are the closest to achieving their goals? And how much money can they earn if they reach those marks?
Key Highlights:
- Geno Smith has the most at stake, with possible extra earnings of up to $6 million on Sunday afternoon
- Mike Evans can earn $3 million if he catches 5+ passes and has 85+ receiving yards
- Zach Ertz can add up to $750,000 on top of the incentives that he already earned last week
- Mike Gesicki needs just 3 yards to earn an extra $125,000
Geno Smith Could Earn An Additional $6 Million In Week 18
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has the most at stake of any player. There are a slew of incentives that are built into his contract, each of which is worth $2 million, and three of them will be achievable this Sunday. If he completes 65% of his passes and racks up 185+ passing yards, he’ll earn an extra $4 million, and another $2 million if the Seahawks win their 10th game of the year.
Another player with plenty at stake is Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. He is 85 receiving yards short of tying Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards, and there is some money tied in to the milestone as well.
He has an escalator in his contract that says if he racks up 70+ catches, 1,000+ yards, and 10+ touchdowns this year, he’ll earn a whopping $3 million on top of the $22 million+ that he already makes. Evans has already reached the 10+ touchdown mark, but would need to catch at least 5 passes for at least 85 yards on Sunday against the Saints to earn his bonus.
Tom Brady made sure to help Gronk get his $1 Million catch incentive 🤑
(via @NFLFilms)pic.twitter.com/LEcwnzFd6p
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022
Bills pass rusher Von Miller is set to add an extra $1.5 million to his earnings if he is able to notch one sack and bring his NFL season total to 6, and the Cardinals would be on the hook for $750,000 if Kyler Murray rushes for 50 yards and scores a touchdown.
Zach Ertz made news last week with his incentive earnings on his game-winning, overtime touchdown against the Falcons. But the Commanders would owe him even more money if he has a big game in the regular season finale. The tight end has three more incentives that are within reach, each of which is worth $250,000, meaning he could earn an extra pay day worth $750,000 this week. Racking up 9 catches, 90 yards, and 2 touchdowns would secure all three incentives for Ertz.
Incentives Could Help NFL Bettors Make Big Money, Too
The information on the incentives could be a big help for bettors at the sportsbooks. Player prop bets are a popular option even in normal weeks, but there will likely be an influx of wagers this Sunday based on the possible extra earnings for the players.
The players around the league who are eligible for the bonuses are certainly in the know about their incentives. Teams that have little to play for could cater some of their game plans in order to help their players reach their milestones, a practice that we have seen in year’s past. Guys with reception bonuses could see some extra targets, and players who are a sack away from reaching their marks might get some added snaps on the defensive side. This can be beneficial for NFL bettors, and we will likely see plenty of wagers on the “over” for many of the player propositions.
NFL Contract Incentives On The Line In Week 18
Here is the complete list of NFL contract incentives that can be earned in Week 18.
| Player | Team | Output Needed | Incentive Reward |
| Mike Evans | Buccaneers | 5+ catches / 85+ receiving yards | $3,000,000 |
| Geno Smith | Seahawks | 185+ passing yards | $2,000,000 |
| Geno Smith | Seahawks | 69.7% completion percentage | $2,000,000 |
| Geno Smith | Seahawks | 10+ team wins | $2,000,000 |
| Von Miller | Bills | 1+ sack | $1,500,000 |
| Kyler Murray | Cardinals | 50+ rushing yards / 1+ rush TD | $750,000 |
| Derrick Henry | Ravens | 1+ rushing touchdown | $500,000 |
| Courtland Sutton | Broncos | 82+ receiving yards | $500,000 |
| Emmanuel Ogbah | Dolphins | 1.5+ sacks | $500,000 |
| Arden Key | Titans | 1.5+ sacks | $500,000 |
| Dante Fowler Jr | Commanders | 0.5+ sacks | $375,000 |
| Calais Campbell | Dolphins | 1+ sacks | $300,000 |
| Tyrel Dodson | Dolphins | 1+ sacks | $300,000 |
| Zaven Collins | Cardinals | 1+ sacks | $300,000 |
| Kyle Van Noy | Ravens | 0.5+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Justice Hill | Ravens | 8+ receptions | $250,000 |
| Taron Johnson | Bills | 1+ interception | $250,000 |
| DaQuon Jones | Bills | 0.5+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Cody Barton | Broncos | 1+ interception | $250,000 |
| Za’Darius Smith | Lions | 2+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Joe Mixon | Texans | 107+ rushing yards | $250,000 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Chiefs | 9+ receptions | $250,000 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Chiefs | 140+ receiving yards | $250,000 |
| Bud Dupree | Chargers | 1+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Blake Cashman | Vikings | 0.5+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Tyler Conklin | Jets | 1+ receptions | $250,000 |
| Javon Kinlaw | Jets | 0.5+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Tony Pollard | Titans | 83+ rushing yards | $250,000 |
| Kenneth Murray | Titans | 0.5+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Dorance Armstrong | Commanders | 1+ sacks | $250,000 |
| Zach Ertz | Commanders | 9+ catches | $250,000 |
| Zach Ertz | Commanders | 90+ receiving yards | $250,000 |
| Zach Ertz | Commanders | 2+ receiving touchdowns | $250,000 |
| Tony Pollard | Titans | 2+ rushing touchdowns | $200,000 |
| JK Dobbins | Chargers | 58+ rushing yards | $150,000 |
| Mike Gesicki | Bengals | 3+ receiving yards | $125,000 |
| Alexander Mattison | Raiders | 8+ receptions | $125,000 |
| Kristian Fulton | Chargers | 1+ interception | $125,000 |
