Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Pursues $4.5M Bonus with Late-Season Performance
As the NFL regular season winds down, the race for performance-based bonuses intensifies. Players across the league are eyeing the milestones laid out in their contracts—some of which could lead to significant financial rewards. Among those under the spotlight are two Seattle Seahawks, each with the potential to bolster their earnings, albeit at a cost to the team’s salary cap.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Established Path
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a first-round pick from the 2023 draft, finds himself in a favorable position. His contract includes a fifth-year option that Seattle is likely to exercise in the upcoming offseason. This option gives the Seahawks an additional year to negotiate an extension while keeping him at a below-market value.
The value of this fifth-year option is determined by the average salary of players at his position over the last five seasons, with potential increases based on playing time and performance. After being named a one-time original ballot Pro Bowler, Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option has seen a significant jump. Initially projected at $17.5 million, it now stands at $24.4 million due to his Pro Bowl selection.
This $7 million increase reflects his growing value and provides leverage in contract discussions moving forward. Even should the Seahawks opt not to utilize the fifth-year option, the elevated figure is beneficial for both parties.
Sam Darnold’s Incentive-Laden Contract
In contrast, Sam Darnold’s situation carries its own intrigue. The quarterback’s contract with the Seahawks includes nine performance escalators, each valued at $500,000, which can add up to a substantial $4.5 million if he meets the criteria.
Darnold has already secured one of the bonuses simply by the Seahawks making the postseason. Additionally, his team’s offense currently ranks seventh in the league for total yards, just ahead of the eleventh spot, which puts him closer to another incentive. However, it’s the remaining four performance metrics that could shape how Darnold and the Seahawks approach their final games.
Chasing Key Milestones
The first milestone is reaching 4,000 passing yards. Currently, Darnold has amassed 3,703 yards, making this target seem achievable, provided he averages over 150 yards in each of the remaining games.
Next is the challenge of amassing 28 passing touchdowns. Darnold has thrown 24 touchdowns, but has faced difficulties recently, with zero touchdowns in three of his last six games. The pressure may mount for him to find opportunities in the red zone to secure this bonus.
Completing 67.5% of his passes is another metric Darnold is on the cusp of; he currently holds a completion percentage of 67.2%. Although this is within reach, his performance has dipped in recent weeks, dropping from a high of 71.1% earlier in the season.
Lastly, maintaining a passer rating of at least 100 is critical. Darnold’s current rating is 100.6, but his recent struggles have seen this figure plummet from an impressive 116.5 to 82 in the last stretch of games. Addressing his turnover issues will be essential if he is to secure this final bonus.
Balancing Performance and Pressure
As the Seahawks head into the final weeks of the season, Darnold’s ability to navigate these targets will not only impact his financial standing but also the overall success of the team. The interplay between individual achievement and team dynamics is palpable as players strive to excel under pressure while contributing to their squad’s postseason aspirations.
In a league where every yard and touchdown counts, Darnold’s pursuit of these bonuses mirrors the wider narrative of NFL players chasing both personal and professional milestones as the season reaches its climax.
