While Week 17 in the NFL is full of playoff implications, it’s also a big week for incentive bonuses. NFL contracts include a wide array of bonuses tied to incentives. From stat-based accomplishments, to playing time to even being active for games. Sean Lee’s contract includes some major playing time incentives and he willingly gave up $2 million on Sunday.
Sean Lee gives up $2 million because playing injured wasn’t fair to his team
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Lee’s six-year, $42 million contract includes a $2 million bonus if he plays 80 percent of Dallas’ defensive snaps during the season. He was above that mark heading into Week 17, according to Michael Florek of the Dallas Morning News, but ended up below the mark after sitting out with a hamstring injury. Although Lee was injured, he could have hobbled through enough of the game to hit the playing time mark. Instead he made the choice to sit out because he didn’t think it was fair to play injured when he might be a liability to his teammates.
“If I had a couple extra days I probably could’ve played, but it was completely my decision I felt like I was not going to be effective and not going to be able to help the team,” Lee said. “I’m not going to disrespect my teammates and my coaches and be out there not playing the right way.”
In a league where teams will cut anyone and everyone if it benefits the salary cap, a player willingly giving up a $2 million bonus is quite rare. According to Florek, Lee came up 32 snaps shy of earning the bonus. Even though he missed out on a huge bonus, Lee didn’t seem fazed at all.
“They’ve been very patient with me because of injuries in the past, so I’m very grateful to have the contract I have. To me, I’m going to be playing for the Cowboys next year, a great franchise, making a ton of money, so I’m not too worried.”
If there is one lesson in this, it’s Sean Lee sounds like a pretty standup guy. The other lesson? Always stretch. Lee sat out with a tweaked hamstring, an injury that happened during practice because he didn’t stretch well enough. Keep those hamstrings loose, kids.
