Adrian Peterson received only $3.5 million in guarantees in his new deal with the New Orleans Saints. But as ESPN Minnesota Vikings reporter Ben Goessling highlighted, the 32-year-old former MVP can earn substantially more through incentives based on yardage, touchdowns and the Saints' playoff prospects.
The incentives are staggered from 750-yard rushing seasons and six touchdowns per year to 1,500-yard seasons and Super Bowl wins.
For example, if Peterson hits a reasonable goal of 1,000 rushing yards, eight rushing/receiving touchdowns and the Saints make it one round into the playoffs this year, he’ll earn an extra $1 million right away, plus another $1 million in 2018 roster bonuses.