When Miami Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb recorded his second sack of the afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he crossed the eight-sack milestone he needed to reach to receive a $900,000 incentive in his contract.
There’s a caveat, though.
Chubb won’t receive that money if the Dolphins don’t finish top 20 in the NFL in points allowed.
It’s more than just $900,000 too. According to Spotrac, Chubb has reached more than $3 million in play time incentives and more than $2 million in sack incentives that are all contingent on that top 20 finish.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks and cornerback Rasul Douglas have also reached playtime incentives that they won’t receive if the Dolphins defense isn’t top 20.
So will it happen? It’ll be awfully close.
By allowing only 17 points Sunday, the Dolphins are now No. 21 in the NFL in points allowed. They could be No. 20 after Monday night if the Los Angeles Rams manage to score more than 26 points against the Atlanta Falcons.
Then all Miami will have to do is keep the explosive New England Patriots offense in check next week. Back in Week 2, the Patriots racked up 33 points against the Dolphins. With MVP contender Drake Maye leading the way, New England is averaging 28.3 points per game — fifth most in the NFL.
With the No. 1 seed at stake, the Patriots will be motivated to put up big numbers against Miami. If they do, it’ll cost Brooks, Douglas, and especially Chubb, the chance to make a big chunk of change.