As Week 17 of the 2024 NFL regular season began with two Christmas Day matchups, the Detroit Lions remained firmly focused on their team objectives: securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and pursuing a Super Bowl victory. However, the Lions are equally aware of the individual contract incentives their players can achieve during the final weeks of the season.
This player-focused mindset is nothing new for Detroit under head coach Dan Campbell. In last year’s season finale, wide receiver Josh Reynolds needed 600 receiving yards to trigger a $250,000 bonus. With only 18 yards heading into the team’s final drive, the Lions made it a point to get Reynolds the ball, resulting in four catches for 26 yards and pushing him to 608 yards on the season.
“That player does all the dirty work for us, all the stuff in the run game, all the blocking, all the unselfish play,” Campbell said after the game. “Then we’re going to do whatever it takes to get him something. That’s the mindset. That’s all.”
Two Lions Players Eye Significant Bonuses
This year, two Lions players have significant contract bonuses in play, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby and the Roster Management system.
Za’Darius Smith: The defensive end is just two sacks away from earning a $250,000 bonus for reaching 10 sacks on the season. If he manages four more sacks, he’ll secure an additional $500,000. Moreover, achieving one of these milestones would unlock another $250,000 if the Lions clinch a playoff berth.
Jared Goff: The quarterback has an incentive tied to a future base salary. If the Lions win the Super Bowl and Goff plays in at least 50% of the offensive snaps, his 2028 base salary will escalate by $1 million.
Spotrac data also reveals that Goff’s 2028 salary could increase by another $1 million if he wins the NFL MVP award. However, it seems Goff can only earn one of these $1 million escalators per season.
Balancing Team Goals and Player Milestones
While Detroit’s focus remains on their team’s success, their commitment to individual player achievements exemplifies the culture Campbell has built. As the regular season winds down, these incentives provide extra motivation for key players to excel, further fueling the Lions’ drive toward a deep playoff run and potential Super Bowl glory.
