In Nashville, the Tennessee Titans are making strategic moves in their free-agent contracts by incorporating per-game roster bonuses. While these bonuses might not seem substantial, they provide the team with a little extra security when it comes to player availability.
Across the league, there's a growing trend of tying cash to player availability. For instance, John Franklin-Myers enjoys a comfortable cushion with $12 million in signing bonuses and a $6.3 million base salary, making his $42,000 per-game bonus a nice addition but not a game-changer. On the other hand, Tony Adams, with a $500,000 signing bonus and a $1.215 million base salary, finds his $25,000 per-game bonus-a potential total of $425,000-much more significant.
Injuries are an inevitable part of NFL life, and agents are cautious about how much of a player's potential earnings are linked to these bonuses. Cordell Volson, who missed last season due to a shoulder injury, sees 23% of his potential earnings with the Titans tied to per-game bonuses. Meanwhile, Cor’Dale Flott's bonuses make up just 3% of his 2026 earnings, with the majority already secured.
Before the Titans began their signing spree, Mike Borgonzi, who previously worked in Kansas City, noted that per-game bonuses were a tool they used and continued to use in Tennessee. However, not all teams lean heavily on this mechanism. Pittsburgh’s Omar Khan mentioned that the Steelers rarely use them, sticking to their tried-and-true approach.
Brett Veach, the Chiefs' general manager, explained that the use of per-game bonuses often depends on the player's profile and injury history. For higher-profile players, these bonuses are less common due to the leverage those players hold. In Kansas City, only their most cost-effective signings, like guard Mike Caliendo and running back Emari Demercado, included per-game bonuses.
Baltimore Ravens' GM Eric DeCosta shared that the team has started to use these incentives more recently, especially for players with durability concerns. Although the bonuses might not be massive, they serve as an effective incentive to keep players on the field.
The Titans are looking to be at the forefront of return-to-play rehab and science, and adding financial incentives to their contracts is part of that innovative approach. It’s a strategy that not only aims to enhance player availability but also helps the team manage costs effectively.