Aaron Rodgers, Baker Mayfield among players chasing millions in bonuses

Aaron Rodgers could make more than his base salary in bonuses this season if he takes the Pittsburgh Steelers on a deep playoff run. Rodgers is one of several NFL stars, including a few big-name quarterbacks, who could rake in millions more in bonuses if they hit key performance or statistical markers the rest of this season. If the Steelers make the playoffs, Rodgers would make an extra $500,000. A Pittsburgh wild-card win would earn him another $600,000. A divisional round win? Rodgers gets another $750,000. The money only grows as the stakes get higher. If the Steelers win the AFC championship, Rodgers will pull in an extra $1 million. A Super Bowl victory, which would be Rodgers' second, would earn him $1.5 million. Rodgers would have to play at least 50% of offensive snaps in each game for those dollars to accrue. The 21-year veteran is on a one-year, $13.65 million deal in Pittsburgh, but his base salary is technically only $3.65 million. If the Steelers (9-6) win the Super Bowl with Rodgers as their quarterback, the future Hall of Famer could make a combined $5.85 million in bonuses. The Steelers have yet to clinch a postseason spot, but they are in first place in the AFC North with a lead over the Baltimore Ravens by two games in the loss column. Pittsburgh has already beaten Baltimore once on the road and will host the Ravens in Week 18. The Steelers have a 93.4% shot of making the playoffs and a 44.4% chance of making the divisional round per ESPN Research projections. Rodgers owns an 11-10 playoff record, all in games with the Green Bay Packers . He has not reached the postseason since 2021. The NFL sorts incentives into two categories -- "likely to be earned" and "not likely to be earned" -- based on the player and team's past performance. "Likely" incentives count against the current year's cap, and if not hit, the team receives a credit the next year. "Not likely" incentives are charged to the next season's cap if they are hit. Here are some other incentives on the line over the next couple of weeks. All data is via Roster Management System. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield Mayfield and the Bucs have struggled of late, losers of six of their past seven games. And Mayfield, who has dealt with a left shoulder injury, has not been as good down the stretch as he was earlier this season. But the resurgent quarterback still has a shot at incentives late in the season. Mayfield can earn a $500,000 bonus for finishing in the top 10 of the NFL or top five in the NFC in each of the following: passer rating, touchdown passes, total passing yards, completion percentage and yards per pass. The maximum Mayfield could make is $2.5 million, though he is unlikely to hit the mark in all of those categories. As far as touchdown passes, Mayfield is tied for 11th in the...

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