CB Nahshon Wright leads NFL with $1.4M performance-based pay

Former Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright is receiving over $1.4 million in performance-based pay for the 2025 season, highlighting the more than $542 million the league is paying out for players whose play time was not proportional to their salary.

That payout will more than double Wright's $1.1 million salary he received from Chicago for the 2025 season in which he played 97% of the team's defensive snaps, recording 80 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three tackles for loss to earn his first career Pro Bowl nod in his fifth season.

Wright was rewarded this offseason for his breakout season, signing a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million with the New York Jets last week.

He's joined by Browns safety Ronnie Hickman, Falcons offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, Panthers safety Nick Scott and Commanders offensive lineman Chris Paul rounding out the top five in performance-based pay for the 2025 season, each receiving over $1.2 million in addition to their salaries.

Overall, a record 25 players received over $1 million in performance-based pay. The NFL has paid nearly $3.3 billion in performance-based pay since it was introduced for the 2002 season as an updated part of the league's collective bargaining agreement.