Even if their teams aren’t in playoff contention, players try and scramble to complete contract incentives or milestones in week 17, their last opportunity to do so. One example was running back Ronnie Brown, whose contract, as Adam Schefter tweeted, would give him $500,000 if he reached 750 rushing yards. Before the game against the Patriots today, Brown needed 30 to fulfill that clause; he ended up getting a total of 14.
I’m not trying to state a case against incentives or anything, because I think they’re great. It gives both sides an opportunity to make the most out of success. I just find it hilarious that 16 yards of running was the cause of Brown losing enough money to buy three or four pretty sweet cars, or maybe even a decent house. You know that Brown was pissed at someone for not getting enough touches, or at himself for not making the most out of the ones he had. That money is not something to wipe your butt on, unless you’re SUPER rich. Then I guess you could do that.
Another incentive story that had a happy ending: Joshua Cribbs needed one more catch to get a $100,000 incentive (again reported by Schefter). He got three receptions today, although it came in a terrible loss to the Steelers.
