NFL Announces 2025 Performance-Based Pay Distributions
NEW YORK — March 16, 2026 — The National Football League announced that players will receive more than $542 million in Performance-Based Pay for the 2025 season, continuing a long-standing program designed to reward on-field contributions relative to salary.
The collectively bargained benefit compensates players across the league based on a combination of playing time and salary levels, with those logging significant snaps on lower salaries typically receiving the largest payouts.
Nahshon Wright Leads All Players
Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who played the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears, earned the highest distribution in the league.
Wright received $1,441,397, more than doubling his base salary for the season.
Originally a third-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 out of Oregon State, Wright played a major role defensively, appearing in 97% of defensive snaps and contributing on special teams.
Record-Setting Year for Player Earnings
For the first time since the program’s inception in 2002, each of the top 25 earners received more than $1 million in Performance-Based Pay.
Since its creation as part of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association, the program has distributed nearly $3.3 billion to players.
How Performance-Based Pay Works
The Performance-Based Pay system is designed to reward efficiency and opportunity.
Players qualify by participating in at least one regular-season snap. A formula then compares a player’s snap count percentage to their total compensation, creating a performance index.
In general:
Higher snap percentages increase a player’s index
Lower salaries also increase a player’s index
Players compete within their own team’s bonus pool
The result is a system that rewards players who outperform their contract value on the field.
Top 25 Performance-Based Pay Distributions (2025 Season)
Below are the top 25 earners from the 2025 season:
Nahshon Wright — Bears (CB, Oregon State) — $1,441,397
Ronnie Hickman — Browns (FS, Ohio State) — $1,293,843
Elijah Wilkinson — Falcons (T, Massachusetts) — $1,272,054
Nick Scott — Panthers (FS, Penn State) — $1,262,216
Chris Paul — Commanders (G, Tulsa) — $1,202,142
Andrew Vorhees — Ravens (G, Southern California) — $1,199,318
Jalen Redmond — Vikings (DE, Oklahoma) — $1,184,087
Mason McCormick — Steelers (G, South Dakota State) — $1,173,614
Chamarri Conner — Chiefs (SS, Virginia Tech) — $1,150,312
Craig Woodson — Patriots (SS, California) — $1,149,910
Xavier Watts — Falcons (FS, Notre Dame) — $1,144,510
Riley Moss — Broncos (CB, Iowa) — $1,136,103
Devin White — Raiders (OLB, LSU) — $1,133,486
Payton Wilson — Steelers (ILB, NC State) — $1,102,206
Jack Jones — Dolphins (CB, Arizona State) — $1,101,585
Anthony Bradford — Seahawks (G, LSU) — $1,098,394
O’Cyrus Torrence — Bills (G, Florida) — $1,091,163
Matt Goncalves — Colts (G, Pittsburgh) — $1,083,538
Kingsley Suamataia — Chiefs (G, BYU) — $1,067,367
Antonio Johnson — Jaguars (SS, Texas A&M) — $1,065,214
Malachi Moore — Jets (SS, Alabama) — $1,042,230
Dane Belton — Giants (SS, Iowa) — $1,023,291
Drake Thomas — Seahawks (ILB, NC State) — $1,022,512
Jordan Battle — Bengals (SS, Alabama) — $1,021,703
Evan Williams — Packers (FS, Oregon) — $1,003,098
Final Thoughts
The Performance-Based Pay program continues to highlight one of the NFL’s most unique compensation structures — one that rewards production, opportunity and consistency across the league.
As player salaries continue to rise, the program remains a critical mechanism for ensuring that contributors at every level are recognized for their impact on the field.
Sources
National Football League Press Release (March 16, 2026)
NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement Overview