The NFL is set to fork out a staggering $542million through its performance-based pay program this year in order to compensate players based on their minutes and salary levels.
The program, which is part of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players’ union, is designed to reward athletes on lower salaries who play a high percentage of their team’s downs.
Players have been paid nearly $3.3bn since the inception of the program in 2002, and that figure will increase to almost $4bn following the 2025 season.
On Monday, the NFL announced players will receive over $542m through the program this year, with the top 25 earners all receiving more than $1m. In comparison, only five players exceeded the $1m mark in 2024.
The league’s highest-paid stars do not benefit from the scheme, which measures a player’s salary against their total snaps on offense, defense or special teams. Those with the lowest salaries and highest playing time receive the biggest bonuses.
Former Chicago Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright more than doubled his 2025 earnings thanks to a bonus from the program.
Former Chicago Bears star Nahshon Wright more than doubled his 2025 earnings after the NFL paid out $542million through its performance-based pay program
Top earners such as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes do not benefit from the program
Wright, who received the most in the league at over $1.4m, was paid $1.1m by the Bears last season when he had five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles to help Chicago win the NFC North for the first time since 2018.
He was only the second player in the past 15 years to hit those marks in a season, along with Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection as a result.
The 27-year-old played the third most snaps on the Bears’ defense (1,041) and logged a playing time percentage of 97.02 throughout his lone season at Soldier Field.
After his deal in Chicago came to an end, Wright penned a one-year contract with the New York Jets last week worth a reported $3.5m.
The rest of the top 10 in bonuses from last season were: Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman, Atlanta Falcons tackle Elijah Wilkinson, Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott, Washington Commanders guard Chris Paul, Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jalen Redmond, Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick, Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner and New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson.
Those players all received approximately $1.15m to $1.3m in extra pay through the program.
