Blythe and Littleton Receive Big Performance Based Bonuses

From $286 to $395K: NFL's smallest, biggest incentives

NFL players typically collect their paychecks Week 1 through 17 of the season.

But because of the performance-based pay program, a collectively bargained benefit, they've had a nice March bonus to look forward to since 2002.

This year, players -- including rookies -- will receive a total of $140,880,000 in performance-based pay, and each team received $4,402,500 to dole out.

Players receive bonuses based on how much their playing time is disproportionate to their salaries. In other words, players who don't make a lot, but play a lot, receive the largest checks.

Austin Blythe, G, Rams; bonus: $380,060

The Rams claimed Blythe off waivers from Indianapolis. He served as a backup for a season, then the seventh-round pick in 2016 earned a starting spot at right guard for the Super Bowl-bound team. Blythe's base salary last season was $630,000. A 60 percent bonus? Not bad.

Cory Littleton, LB, Rams; bonus: $371,379

An undrafted free agent in 2016, Littleton stepped into a starting role after the Rams traded veteran linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. Littleton led the Rams with 90 tackles. Littleton's base salary was $630,000.

[www.espn.com]