Live Update: Playoff-Bound Lions Players Eye Big Bonuses as Season Winds Down
As the 2024 NFL season nears its conclusion, two key Detroit Lions players are on the verge of securing significant contract bonuses. While the team remains focused on its lofty postseason goals—earning the No. 1 seed and chasing a Super Bowl title—individual incentives have become a subplot in these final weeks.
Josh Reynolds’ Bonus Memory Sparks Motivation
The Lions’ commitment to rewarding their players isn’t new. In last year’s regular-season finale, wide receiver Josh Reynolds was strategically targeted to reach a $250,000 contract bonus for surpassing 600 receiving yards. Reynolds entered the game with 582 yards but managed to exceed the mark on the team’s final drive.
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell emphasized why such efforts matter:
“That player does all the dirty work he does for us, all the stuff in the run game, all the blocking, all the unselfish play, then we’re going to do whatever it takes to get him something,” Campbell said. “That’s the mindset. That’s all.”
2024 Bonus Watch: Za’Darius Smith and Jared Goff
As this season winds down, Za’Darius Smith and Jared Goff are two Lions players with notable incentives in play:
Za’Darius Smith’s Sack Chase
Smith, the Lions’ dominant defensive end, is close to earning a performance-based bonus tied to his sack total:
- Two more sacks will give him 10 for the season, earning him $250,000.
- If he manages four sacks, his payout jumps to $500,000.
- Additionally, hitting either sack incentive will also activate a $250,000 bonus for the Lions clinching a playoff berth.
Jared Goff’s Super Bowl Incentive
The incentive for quarterback Jared Goff is tied directly to the Lions’ ultimate team goal—a Super Bowl victory:
- If the Lions win the Super Bowl and Goff plays in 50% of the offensive snaps, his 2028 base salary will escalate by $1 million.
Additionally, Goff has a separate clause in his contract that boosts his 2028 salary by $1 million if he earns an NFL MVP honor. However, Spotrac indicates these two escalators cannot be earned simultaneously in the same season.
A Team Culture of Rewarding Effort
The Lions have proven they are not only committed to winning but also to recognizing and rewarding individual contributions. With players like Smith and Goff motivated to deliver for both personal and team success, the Lions’ culture under Dan Campbell continues to stand out in the NFL.
Stay tuned for updates as the Lions chase their postseason dreams and their players inch closer to cashing in on some well-deserved bonuses.
— Andrew, reporting live from Detroit.
