Mike Evans. Courtland Sutton More NFL Contract Incentives At Stake in Week 18

Two of the top wide receivers in the NFL have plenty to play for in Week 18.

Mike Evans and Courtland Sutton not only have to lead their respective teams to victories to clinch playoff spots, but they can earn contract incentives with their performances.

Contract incentives have become more popular to track in Week 18 over the last few years.

Players either still in the playoff hunt, or on eliminated teams, have the best shots to eclipse the milestones that will earn them extra cash.

The players on teams already locked into the postseason spots will most likely sit on Sunday, and in turn, will not have any incentives to play for.

Mike Evans

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 22: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass in front of DaRon Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys for a first down during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Mike Evans has the most notable contract situation because it is attainable given the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' situation.

Evans needs five catches and 85 receiving yards to trigger a $3 million bonus.

An 85-yard performance would also allow Evans to extend his streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He's hit that mark in each of his nine NFL seasons.

Evans and the Bucs must beat the New Orleans Saints to clinch the NFC South, so we should expect a heavy dose of Evans, like we saw in Week 17, when he had eight catches, 97 yards and two touchdowns.

Evans' contract bonus triggers at 70 catches, 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He already has 11 trips to the end zone, but do not be surprised if scores again as the Bucs try to cap off their division title in dominant fashion.

Courtland Sutton

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Courtland Sutton #14 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown catch during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Courtland Sutton has two contract incentives in play on Sunday.

Sutton needs 82 receiving yards to earn a $500,000 bonus for hitting the 1,065-yard mark.

The Denver Broncos wide out also needs three touchdowns to earn $200,000. That might not be attainable since Denver might pull him in the second half if a playoff spot is wrapped up.

Denver needs to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, who are resting starters, to secure the No. 7 seed in the AFC.

Sutton produced six catches and 70 yards in his first meeting against the Chiefs this season, and that was with all the starters on the field.

He could have even more success on Sunday as Kansas City puts more focus into its divisional round game in two weeks.

Other Notable Contract Incentives

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Geno Smith - 185 passing yards ($2 million bonus)

DeAndre Hopkins - 1 receiving touchdown ($250,000), 140+ receiving yards ($250,000), nine receptions ($250,000)

Von Miller - One sack ($1.5 million)

Kyler Murray - 50 rushing yards & rushing touchdown ($750,000)

Zach Ertz - 9+ receptions ($250,000), 90+ receiving yards ($250,000), two touchdowns ($250,000)

Tony Pollard - 83 rushing yards ($250,000), two rushing touchdowns ($200,000)

J.K. Dobbins - 58 rushing yards ($150,000)