The NFL’s Week 18 isn’t just about playoff berths and wild finishes—it's also the high-stakes finale for players chasing contract incentives and historic milestones. As the regular season wraps up on January 4, 2026, stars and role players alike are pushing for those final stats that could land them record books glory or, just as importantly, lucrative bonus checks. From legendary quarterbacks on the cusp of all-time lists to running backs grinding for just a few more yards, the drama extends far beyond the scoreboard.
Take Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for instance. Mayfield’s season-long consistency has him eyeing several $500,000 bonuses, each tied to finishing in the top 10 in the NFL or top five in the NFC in categories like passer rating, touchdown passes, passing yards, completion percentage, or yards per pass. As of Week 18, Mayfield sits 12th in the NFL and 6th in the NFC for passing yards, and tied for 7th and 4th respectively in touchdown passes. With just one more strong performance, he could see his bank account swell.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers’ Rico Dowdle entered the final weekend needing seven scrimmage yards to trigger a massive $1 million incentive. Despite a tough outing, Dowdle ran for 10 yards and added 20 receiving yards—enough to cross the finish line. That single achievement capped a season where Dowdle’s incentives matched his base salary, totaling $2.75 million in bonuses. Talk about making every play count!
Quarterbacks are often in the spotlight, and Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold is no exception. In a marquee Saturday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the season, triggering a $500,000 bonus. He had a chance at another $500,000 with three passing touchdowns, but came up short in that department. Still, Darnold’s season is a testament to how every throw can mean more than just yardage—it can mean a significant payday.
Defensive players aren’t left out of the incentive chase. Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE for the Seahawks, needed two sacks to collect a $250,000 bonus and managed to notch one against the 49ers, earning a portion of his incentive. Across the league, similar stories are unfolding: Von Miller of the Washington Commanders could earn $500,000 with a single sack, while Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars stands to gain a whopping $1 million if he tallies 1.5 sacks against the Titans.
Some incentives come with a dash of history. Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ dominant EDGE rusher, is just half a sack away from setting a new single-season NFL record. That’s not just bonus money on the line—it’s a chance to etch his name atop the league’s storied record books. Similarly, Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs needs just 0.5 sack to claim third place in franchise history, while Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts is one rushing touchdown away from breaking his own single-season franchise record.
For the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, the stakes are legacy-defining. With two more passing touchdowns, Stafford will leapfrog Dan Marino for seventh all-time in NFL passing TDs—a feat that cements his place among the game’s greatest quarterbacks. George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, never one to shy from the spotlight, is three receptions away from moving into second place in 49ers’ career history for catches. And Kirk Cousins, now with the Atlanta Falcons, needs three passing touchdowns to reach the 300 career mark—an elite club for any NFL quarterback.
Christian McCaffrey, the do-it-all back for the 49ers, is chasing history on multiple fronts. With four more receptions, he’ll become just the third player in 49ers history to notch 100 catches in a single season. If he racks up 110 receiving yards, he’ll become only the second player ever to tally both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a season. And with two more touchdowns, McCaffrey will hit the century mark for career scores—a milestone that puts him in rarefied air among NFL greats.
Elsewhere, the bonus race continues: Derrick Henry, now with the Baltimore Ravens, is two rushing touchdowns away from passing Marcus Allen for third all-time in rushing TDs. Travis Kelce of the Chiefs needs two receptions to pass Terrell Owens for eighth all-time, while David Njoku of the Browns is three catches away from moving into second place in Browns history for receptions.
Of course, the financial stakes are as varied as the players themselves. From Uchenna Nwosu’s $1 million sack incentive to Hunter Henry’s (Patriots) $250,000 bonus for five more catches, every position and performance metric is represented. Even special teams get in on the action: Nick Folk of the Jets needs two field goals for a $500,000 incentive, and Sam Martin of the Panthers can earn $200,000 if he boosts his net punt average.
Some players have already cashed in. Deebo Samuel of the Commanders earned $700,000 for reaching 70 catches and 700 yards, with another $200,000 on the line for 10 more catches and 93 yards against the Eagles. Khalil Shakir of the Bills can pocket $150,000 with a touchdown against the Jets, and Joey Bosa (Bills) is hunting for a $250,000 bonus with just one more sack.
As the final whistle approaches, every snap is fraught with meaning. Will Tony Pollard of the Titans rack up the 66 rushing yards needed for his $250,000 bonus? Can Calais Campbell of the Cardinals secure a $500,000 payday with just one sack? And what about Aaron Rodgers, quarterbacking the Steelers—he can earn $500,000 for clinching a playoff spot, with even more on the table for postseason success.
Fans and fantasy football managers aren’t the only ones glued to the stat sheets this weekend. For dozens of NFL players, Week 18 is a chance to secure a place in history, reward a season’s worth of hard work, and maybe, just maybe, celebrate with a seven-figure check. The drama is electric, the stakes are sky-high, and as the games unfold, every play could be the one that tips the scales.
With records, reputations, and millions of dollars on the line, Week 18 is shaping up to be a spectacular finish—not just for teams, but for the individual stars who make the NFL must-watch television. As the action unfolds, one thing’s for sure: the final weekend of the regular season is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about legacy, livelihood, and a little bit of luck.