A handful of Saints have a shot at making some extra money over the next two weeks by achieving various performance incentives.
Many of the marks are already out of reach, but a handful remain in play.
Here’s a look at the players who are chasing these marks and what they are, according to league sources.
Cam Jordan
The defensive end doesn’t have any bonuses on the immediate horizon, but he is working toward one that could pay off next year. Jordan can earn $500,000 by picking up 18 cumulative sacks during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The other way of getting to that $500,000 is by collecting 10 sacks next year on its own.
Jordan can only earn the $500,000 one time (he wouldn’t get paid twice for hitting both 18 sacks cumulatively and 10 sacks next year). He currently has 6 ½ sacks. So, a little bit of production over the next two weeks could make the cumulative target easier to reach.
Jared Cook
The tight end could earn up to $2 million by hitting various incentives for yards and receptions, though he does not appear to be on track to reach those marks. Cook currently has 30 receptions and 379 yards. The first thresholds on his incentives kick in at 70 receptions and 900 yards.
He could also earn $150,000 by making first-team All-Pro, though it seems unlikely that will happen.
Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins needs to meet a few stipulations to make some extra cash this year.
The first one is that he has to play 80% of the defensive snaps. That one is in the bag, considering he’s already at 99.2%.
So, the only thing he needs to worry about now is helping the Saints win games in the playoffs. If the team wins one playoff game, he’ll earn $500,000. He can then earn another $500,000 if New Orleans reaches the NFC title game.
Wil Lutz
The kicker can push his salary for next season up by $100,000 if he hits 93.34% of his field goals this year and ranks fifth in the league or better on field-goal attempts of 50 yards or longer.
Lutz has hit on only 80% of his attempts this year, which likely puts this goal out of reach. Lutz is 1-for-3 on attempts of 50 yards or longer.
Lutz can also bump his salary up another $100,000 by being named first-team All-Pro.
Thomas Morstead
The punter could have had his 2021 base salary increased by $425,000 if he ranked within the top three in net punting average in any two of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Morstead led the NFL with a 43.2 average in 2018, finished fifth in 2019 (43.1 yards) and is currently 11th this year (41.9).
He could also bump his salary by $75,000 if he earns first-team All-Pro honors.
Latavius Murray
The running back can elevate his salary by $125,000 by hitting 1,000 rushing yards or seven touchdowns.
Murray currently has 584 yards, so that mark is unlikely, but his four touchdowns put him in range for that mark if he has a big game one of these next two weeks.
Josh Hill
Hill could earn $102,000 by reaching 35 receptions, and another $102,000 by hitting 350 receiving yards. He currently has eight catches for 46 yards, making this one a long shot.
Patrick Robinson
Patrick Robinson could have earned a bonus of $250,000 for playing 70% of the snaps, as well as another $250,000 if he intercepted five passes.
The cornerback probably won’t reach either of those marks, but he was having a solid season before landing on injured reserve. There has been some optimism that Robinson could be back in time for the season finale, but he’d need to intercept three passes in that game to earn the incentive.
Craig Robertson
The linebacker could have earned $300,000 for playing 60% of the defensive snaps.
He is currently at 2.28%.
Jameis Winston
Winston would earn $55,000 for each game in which he plays 50% or more of the offensive plays. He already hit the mark against the 49ers by playing 58% of the snaps.
However, the only way this bonus will pay is if the Saints improve upon their average net yards gained per rushing play or per passing play from 2019.
Winston can earn another $55,000 each game he leads the Saints to a win if all of the previous provisions get met.
Winston would earn $200,000 for each playoff game in which he plays 50% of the offensive snaps, and another $200,000 for each win while playing 50% of the snaps.
If the Saints earn a bye in the playoffs and Winston plays 50% of the snaps in the next game, he will earn $100,000 and another $100,000 if the Saints win.
