In his fourth NFL season, linebacker Jamien Sherwood was on the field for 1,065 defensive snaps and 113 special-teams plays while being paid $1.05 million by the New York Jets in 2024.
That combination proved to be worth $1,092,206 for the former Auburn standout under the NFL’s performance-based pay program – the highest amount awarded to a player for the 2024 season. Performance-based pay started after the 2002 season with a goal of awarding bonuses to those who outplay their contract.The NFL announced the program’s top earners for the 2024 season on Wednesday.
Under the program, each team received more than $14 million to distribute to its players for the 2024 season. How much each player was entitled to receive was determined by comparing playing time to compensation. Lower-paid players with high snap counts get bigger pieces of their team’s supplemental pie.
Four other players received performance-based pay bonuses of more than $1 million for the 2024 season, including former Spain Park High School standout Michael Jackson.
As a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers, Jackson was on the field for 1,205 defensive snaps and 103 special-teams plays for $1.055 million.The formula for determining performance-based pay added up to a $1,035,260 bonus for Jackson, the third-highest for the 2024 season.
Also in the top 25 for performance-based pay in 2024 was former Alabama linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. In his second season with the Houston Texans, To’oTo’o had 830 defensive snaps and 53 special-teams plays for a $915,000 salary. To’oTo’o qualified for an $820,070 performance bonus.
Sherwood and Jackson were qualified to become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, but each re-signed with his 2024 team.
Sherwood got a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the Jets. Jackson signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract extension with the Panthers.
