How much do NFL players get for playing in the playoffs?

For many NFL fans, the excitement builds up tremendously during playoff season. For the players, though, the joy of being on the field must be a great motivator, as this period is when many of them see cuts in their usual paychecks.

During the regular season, the players receive their salary every week, depending on the rate that their contract states. Stars with big contracts get paid much more on a weekly basis than a player who makes the minimum annual salary of $705,000 in the 2022 season.

CBA-mandated pay

The playoffs level the playing field, in a way, because all the players of a team get paid the same rate depending on how the franchise performs, irrespective of the individual player’s contract salary.

There is a pool of money from NFL teams that pays the postseason salaries, and there is a set amount for each player per playoff round, as provided by the NFL collective bargaining agreement. Players must be paid within 15 days after a playoff game.

The weekly salary for the playoffs doesn’t differ much from what a player earning minimum wage would make in a week in the regular season.

NFL playoffs pay rates

Here is how much a player would get in each round of the NFL playoffs in 2024.

Incentives raise possible payout

This salary scale however doesn’t necessarily mean big-name players will not be getting a fatter paycheck during the playoffs. NFL contracts sometimes provide bonuses or incentives for the performance of a player or a team in the playoffs.