Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph received the sixth-largest performance bonus in the NFL, totaling $996,253.
NFL players can receive bonuses linked to their performance, thanks to a collectively negotiated Performance-Based Pay program that compensates all players according to their playing time and salary amounts.
As stated in a league memo, “The Performance-Based Pay program establishes a fund that serves as an additional form of player compensation, which is based on a comparison of playing time to salaries.” Players qualify for a bonus distribution in any regular season where they participate in at least one official down. Typically, players who have greater playtime percentages and lesser salaries gain the most from the pool.
In 2024, athletes throughout the league will earn more than $452 million in performance-based bonuses for their achievements during the season.
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood of the New York Jets received the largest sum. His bonus of $1,092,206 more than doubled his pay with the AFC East team.
During his third NFL season, Detroit’s skilled safety achieved a league-high nine interceptions. The previous third-round draft selection achieved a total PFF score of 91.0, placing him at the top among all eligible safeties who had played a minimum of 100 snaps. His coverage grade of 91.9 also placed him first among 170 safeties.
“Since the launch of the Performance-Based Pay program in the 2002 season, players have received nearly $2.8 billion in total. This program was established as part of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association and has continued through three additional collective bargaining agreements.
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