Is It Time to Revisit Playoff Game Checks?

[ATL96Steeler]

Agent's Take: What are players paid during the postseason?

This link is from last year, but it can't have changed much.

Wildcard round...DIV winners $25k/ 5 & 6 seeds $23k per player

Division round...$25,000 per player

Conference round...$46k per player

SB winner...$102k, loser $51k per player

Considering most of the top players make $300k to $1 mil + per game, a lot of these guys are taking big cuts in pay. I was stunned to hear this, but I've even heard some guys don't really care if the make the playoffs or not...the grind is so tough on their bodies, that little extra money is not worth it.

Is it time to revisit playoff game checks?...really seems like a graving train for the owners.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Agent's Take: What are players paid during the postseason?

This link is from last year, but it can't have changed much.

Wildcard round...DIV winners $25k/ 5 & 6 seeds $23k per player

Division round...$25,000 per player

Conference round...$46k per player

SB winner...$102k, loser $51k per player

Considering most of the top players make $300k to $1 mil + per game, a lot of these guys are taking big cuts in pay. I was stunned to hear this, but I've even heard some guys don't really care if the make the playoffs or not...the grind is so tough on their bodies, that little extra money is not worth it.

Is it time to revisit playoff game checks?...really seems like a graving train for the owners.

There's probably more guys who would be happy to get another $150K than would turn their nose up at it.

 

[Gooch1034]

I think they are already kinda "paid" to win the Super Bowl so I don't think its too bad for most of them. Someone like James Harrison making like $350,000 deserve more money in general but most players already get paid to win 19 games a season IMO...

 

[ATL96Steeler]

There's probably more guys who would be happy to get another $150K than would turn their nose up at it.

I think most of these guys were part of winning programs on some level...even if it was HS...so they are competitive and want to win, but I'm starting to gather it might not be as open and shut as that. For a vet that's made $30 or 40 mil...I think it is more about leaving the game with some hardware.

I've played golf with a lot older NFL players from the 70s and 80s who weren't making the kind of money these guys are today...the playoff checks were more than welcomed.

The tickets cost more, but the cost of goods (the players) goes way down.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I think most of these guys were part of winning programs on some level...even if it was HS...so they are competitive and want to win, but I'm starting to gather it might not be as open and shut as that. For a vet that's made $30 or 40 mil...I think it is more about leaving the game with some hardware.

I've played golf with a lot older NFL players from the 70s and 80s who weren't making the kind of money these guys are today...the playoff checks were more than welcomed.

The tickets cost more, but the cost of goods (the players) goes way down.

Not everybody is a vet that has made $30 million though.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I think they are already kinda "paid" to win the Super Bowl so I don't think its too bad for most of them. Someone like James Harrison making like $350,000 deserve more money in general but most players already get paid to win 19 games a season IMO...

I get what you're saying but not really...the regular season 16 games is just that. Pros look at the playoffs as a new season.

Clearly Harrison (makes $78k a game) is way under paid and this playoff money can come in handy, but he's made plenty of cash...he wants one more ring on the way out.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not everybody is a vet that has made $30 million though.

If you are 2 contract player, you're pretty close to at least $20-25.

Take a $3 mil per player...this guy makes $187k per game...is he that excited to play for $25k in a playoff game?

IDK

 

[Gooch1034]

I get what you're saying but not really...the regular season 16 games is just that. Pros look at the playoffs as a new season.

Clearly Harrison (makes $78k a game) is way under paid and this playoff money can come in handy, but he's made plenty of cash...he wants one more ring on the way out.

I can see either way honestly. I see why players may not care much when it comes to playoff pay but can understand if they were to ask for more.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

If you are 2 contract player, you're pretty close to at least $20-25.

Take a $3 mil per player...this guy makes $187k per game...is he that excited to play for $25k in a playoff game?

IDK

Should be excited anyway, and if he isn't maybe find another team?

But the prize money for a guy who isn't overpaid is probably pretty nice. And he likely wouldn't even have to take the field to get it....

 

[Hank Kingsley]

If you are 2 contract player, you're pretty close to at least $20-25.

Take a $3 mil per player...this guy makes $187k per game...is he that excited to play for $25k in a playoff game?

IDK

I think I read that Blount only makes $900K. You can buy a lot of herb with $150K......

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I can see either way honestly. I see why players may not care much when it comes to playoff pay but can understand if they were to ask for more.

That's the odd thing I haven't heard much about them asking for more.

What brought this on is a friend of mind knows an NFL asst coach really well...talks with him several times...he said getting guys pumped and motivated for playoff games is a big chore...I was stunned, but once I researched the game checks...it kind of made sense.

 

[Gooch1034]

That's the odd thing I haven't heard much about them asking for more.

What brought this on is a friend of mind knows an NFL asst coach really well...talks with him several times...he said getting guys pumped and motivated for playoff games is a big chore...I was stunned, but once I researched the game checks...it kind of made sense.

As I was typing that last post I was thinking the same thing. How odd that the players don't seem to complain much when everyone gets paid the same(I assume?) I guess the question could be how much would it take for players to get more motivated for a playoff game? You figure a punter would be happy with a much lower amount than a QB would be so that's a rough situation that I am surprised isn't a bigger deal.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Should be excited anyway, and if he isn't maybe find another team?

But the prize money for a guy who isn't overpaid is probably pretty nice. And he likely wouldn't even have to take the field to get it....

I agree, it should about the hardware...just seems odd, the most important games pay the least amount.

For league minimum guys...yes, that playoff check is a raise! But, if you're active, these coaches will have you doing something...probably special teams.

 

[molsaniceman]

its simple if u want more money put it in your contract

 

[redseat]

its simple if u want more money put it in your contract

This ^^^^

Though I don't think that most rookies or "not really known" players are the leverage to do that... No?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

its simple if u want more money put it in your contract

If you referring to playoff money, all 53 get the same amount from my understanding...QBs, top level players can negotiate playoff performance bonuses, but we're taking about a handful of guys.

 

[Southieinnc]

I get what you're saying but not really...the regular season 16 games is just that. Pros look at the playoffs as a new season.

Clearly Harrison (makes $78k a game) is way under paid and this playoff money can come in handy, but he's made plenty of cash...he wants one more ring on the way out.

Harrison should give a discount for sacking Alex Smith.....

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I agree, it should about the hardware...just seems odd, the most important games pay the least amount.

For league minimum guys...yes, that playoff check is a raise! But, if you're active, these coaches will have you doing something...probably special teams.

Like I said, Blount earning $900K..... No idea what bonuses but still....

 

[Hank Kingsley]

If you referring to playoff money, all 53 get the same amount from my understanding...QBs, top level players can negotiate playoff performance bonuses, but we're taking about a handful of guys.

As it should be, a team game, etc.

Contract time is when hay is made.....

 

[Hank Kingsley]

This ^^^^

Though I don't think that most rookies or "not really known" players are the leverage to do that... No?

Can't recall who they were referring to on TV but some talking head said 2 Pats KEY vets were earning less than $2,000,000 combined. Blount being the $900K guy,