We spend much of the year talking about the salary cap and player salaries that impact it. However, there is one area of player payroll that does not impact the salary cap. That is the performance-based pool. In the most recent collective bargaining agreement, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to an additional benefit based on playing time. It is not part of the salary cap, but rather, is treated like a player benefit, which is subtracted from the pool of money used to determine the salary cap.
Anybody that plays at least one snap has a chance to earn money, and this year, Kenneth Acker led the way for the San Francisco 49ers.