Per ESPN, two Detroit Lions have contact bonuses within reach for the 2024 season.
According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, two Detroit Lions are chasing some contract bonuses as the regular season comes to a close.
Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith has a couple of incentives left on his contract, which the Lions inherited after trading for the pass rushers at the deadline this year. Per Baby, if Smith earns two more sacks in the final two games—reaching 10.0 for the season—he’ll earn a $250,000 bonus. If he earns four more sacks (12.0 on the season), he’ll earn an additional $500,000. If Smith manages to earn either of those bonuses, he’ll automatically get another $250,000, because the Lions have clinched a playoff berth.
For Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the bonus will require a bit more than that. Per Baby, Goff’s 2028 base salary will increase by $1 million if the Lions win the Super Bowl. He’ll also have to finish the season playing 50% of the team’s offensive snaps, but that is pretty much a foregone conclusion at this point.
Last year, the Lions showed that they’re willing to do whatever they can to help players hit their contract incentives. In their 2023 season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions threw the ball four straight times to Josh Reynolds in order to get him a receiving yards incentive that earned him an extra $250,000.
It won’t be as easy for the Lions to intentionally give their players the opportunity to earn their bonuses this year. But if you’re looking for an extra reason to root for a Za’Darius Smith sack, or if you need any more reason to hope for a Lions Super Bowl, there’s a little extra to be gained for the team this year.
