Aaron Rodgers closes in on massive Steelers bonus: How much for playoffs, Super Bowl appearance?
With two regular season games remaining, Rodgers is one of a number of NFL stars on the brink of a big performance-related bonus.
The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, knowing that a win in either of their two remaining regular season games will secure qualification for the playoffs.
The Steelers have built a win-now team under coach Mike Tomlin, headlined by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP turned 42 earlier this month but he has been tasked with taking a talented roster to the next level.
Ahead of the 2025 season Rodgers signed with the Steelers on a one-year, bonus-heavy deal that prioritizes postseason success. If the Steelers secure a spot in the playoffs, Rodgers will get an additional $500,000.
As the playoffs go on each round carries a bigger prize for a victory. A wild card win will earn another $600,000; a divisional round is worth $750,000. If the Steelers win the AFC championship Rodgers bags $1 million, while a Super Bowl victory earns another $1.5 million.
All in, if Rodgers leads the Steelers to a Super Bowl triumph while playing at least 50% of the offensive snaps in each playoff game, he will earn a combined $5.85 million in bonuses.
Elsewhere in the league, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is in line for a $500,000 bonus for finishing in the top 10 of the NFL or top five in the NFC in any the following metrics: passer rating, touchdown passes, total passing yards, completion percentage and yards per pass.
Sam Darnold has a variety of performance-related bonuses for the Seattle Seahawks, including a $500,000 bonus for finishing with a passer rating of 100.0 or higher passer rating; 28 or more passing touchdowns; 4,000 or more passing yards; and a 67.5% or higher completion percentage. In the postseason, Darnold had bonuses for each round that the Seahawks advance to, including a $2.5 million payout for a Super Bowl win.
Strangely, the player with the most on the line in the remaining two games is Miami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb. He has a heavily incentivized deal, with a total of $9.6 million in bonuses up for grabs. That includes incremental payouts for percentage of team minutes played and a $1.225 million bonus for making six sacks.
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