Baker Mayfield, Austin Ekeler, More NFL Contract Incentives At Stake in Week 18

Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season has finally arrived, and some players will have some extra motivation heading into the weekend thanks to performance bonuses tied to their contracts.

The likes of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love are among the players who can earn bonuses this weekend.

That said, here's a deeper dive into the players looking to cash in with big performances in Week 18.

All contract numbers and bonuses via Spotrac.

Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

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INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 23: Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs the football during the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Chargers on December 23, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With the Los Angeles Chargers having already been eliminated from playoff contention, running back Austin Ekeler should see his typical amount of playing time this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ekeler has been limited by injuries this season, so the money he can earn through incentives isn't as lucrative as it could have been if he remained healthy and appeared in more games.

However, he can still earn some bonuses if he hits certain benchmarks in scrimmage yards and touchdowns:

• 1,125 yards: $100,000
• 1,250 yards: $200,000
• 1,375 yards: $200,000
• 1,500 yards: $200,000
• 1,639 yards: $300,000
• 10 touchdowns: $150,000
• 13 touchdowns: $200,000
• 16 touchdowns: $250,000

Ekeler also could have earned $150,000 for a Pro Bowl berth, but he was not named to the NFC's roster for the 2024 event.

The 28-year-old has rushed for 617 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games this season, in addition to catching 398 yards and one score.

Ekeler needs 110 yards from scrimmage to secure a $100,000 bonus for 1,125 scrimmage yards, but all of the other incentives for yardage and touchdowns likely aren't attainable this weekend, even with the Chiefs projected to sit many of their starters ahead of the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 24: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

After a shaky start to the season, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has molded into a true No. 1 signal-caller and perhaps the true heir to Aaron Rodgers' throne.

Love enters a critical Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears with a playoff berth on the line and some big incentives well within reach. He has already earned $500,000 for playing 65 percent of offensive snaps, but here's what's on the line this weekend:

• $500,000: Clinching a playoff berth and 65 percent of offensive snaps.
  
• $500,000: Top 16 in passing touchdowns and 65 percent of offensive snaps. 
• $500,000: Top 10 in passing touchdowns.
  
• $500,000: Top 16 passer rating and 65 percent of offensive snaps.
• $500,000: Top 10 passing yards. 
• $500,000: Top 10 passer rating and 65 percent of offensive snaps.
  
• $500,000: Top 16 completion percentage and 65 percent of offensive snaps.
  
• $500,000: Top 10 completion percentage and 65 percent of offensive snaps. 
• $500,000: Top 16 passing yards and 65 percent of offensive snaps.

If the Packers clinch a playoff berth, here's the incentives Love will be eligible for the in the postseason:

• $500,000: 1 playoff win (65 percent of snaps).
• $1 million: NFC title (65 percent of snaps).
• $1 million: Super Bowl title. (65 percent of snaps).

The Packers enter their regular-season finale with an 8-8 record. If the defeat the Bears, they'll have a 99 percent chance to clinch a playoff berth.

In his first season as Green Bay's starter, Love has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 3,843 yards and 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He currently ranks third in passing touchdowns, 10th in passing yards, 11th in passer rating and 23rd in completion percentage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has already reached some of his performance bonuses this season, earning $500,000 for playing 66 percent of snaps and $250,000 each for 75 percent and 85 percent snaps.

However, he can earn even more money this weekend against the Carolina Panthers:

• $1 million: Buccaneers clinch a playoff berth.
• $300,000: NFL top 10/NFC Top 5 in passer rating. 
• $300,000: NFL top 10/NFC Top 5 in touchdown passes. 
• $300,000: NFL top 10/NFC Top 5 in passing yards. 
  
• $300,000: NFL top 10/NFC Top 5 in completion percentage.
  
• $300,000: NFL top 10/NFC Top 5 in yards per pass attempt. 
  

If the Buccaneers make the playoffs, Mayfield will also earn $250,000 per playoff win.

Mayfield has put together a solid season in Tampa Bay, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,907 yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 16 games. He has also rushed for 156 yards and one score.

The 28-year-old currently ranks eighth in the NFL in passing yards, 10th in yards per pass attempt, fourth in touchdown passes and ninth in passer rating.

Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins

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HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Tennessee Titans looks towards the sideline against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so DeAndre Hopkins will be solely aiming to reach his contractual incentives this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hopkins has already earned $250,000 for 65 receptions, $750,000 for 950 receiving yards and $500,000 for six touchdowns. Here's what bonuses he has on the line against Jacksonville:

• $500,000: 75 receptions.
• $750,000: 85 receptions.
• $1 million: 95 receptions. 
• $1 million: 1,050 yards.
• $750,000: Eight touchdowns. 
• $1 million: 10 touchdowns. 

Hopkins has caught 68 passes for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games this season. He's close to earning the $1 million for receiving yards and could also reach 75 catches for $500,000.

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 24: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks walks off the field after a win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith can earn a $2 million bonus if the team reaches the playoffs.

However, that's easier said than done.

The Seahawks need to beat the Arizona Cardinals this weekend and also have the Packers lose to the Bears to clinch a berth in the postseason.

Minnesota Vikings RB Alexander Mattison

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Alexander Mattison #2 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at US Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears beat the Vikings 12-10. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison can earn a $250,000 for 750 rushing yards.

With a playoff berth on the line, Mattison figures to play a normal amount of snaps. However, asking him to reach 750 rushing yards might be a bit much.

The 25-year-old has rushed for 676 yards in 15 games this season.

Detroit Lions WR Josh Reynolds

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: Josh Reynolds #8 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds has some pretty big incentives on the line this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings.

Here's what he can take home in bonuses, per Action Network:

• $250,000: Six receiving touchdowns. 
• $250,000: 600 receiving yards.

Reynolds enters Sunday's matchup having caught 35 passes for 564 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games this season. He can certainly reach his performance incentives with a strong showing this weekend.

Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Tyler Higbee #89 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a first down during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee can earn a $125,000 bonus for reaching 500 receiving yards, according to Action Network.

Higbee enters Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers having caught 47 passes for 495 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games.

New York Giants WR Darius Slayton

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants catches a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Los Angeles Rams defeated the New York Giants 26-25. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton will earn a $2.5 million bonus if he makes one more catch, according to Action Network.

Slayton has caught 45 passes for 708 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games entering Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.