The Washington Commanders have already cemented their place in the postseason. But for an established veteran trio, finishing the campaign strongly comes with additional financial benefits attached.
Locking up the sixth seed and getting one over on their division rival Dallas Cowboys should keep motivation high across the board. That's been the message throughout the week from head coach Dan Quinn and the players are responding accordingly.
This elite-level mindset is exactly what got the Commanders this far throughout a memorable campaign. Rubbing salt into the Cowboys' wounds before they head off on their off-season break with no playoff football in front of them only sweetens the pot.
Money makes the world go around. That's no different for NFL players, with many around the league looking to hit specific milestones and trigger bonuses in their respective contracts on the final day of the regular season.
Commanders trio looking to hit contract milestones in Week 18
That brings three Commanders players under the microscope.
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz's starring performance against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football earned him an added $750,000 in bonuses along the way. The former second-round selection out of Stanford has another chance to increase his salary with a dominant performance at AT&T Stadium.
Ertz can earn an extra $250,000 for gaining nine more receptions. He gets the same amount from 90 or more receiving yards and two or more receiving touchdowns respectively. That could earn him $750,000 in total if all three of these milestones are met.
Another looking for a bigger payday is Dante Fowler Jr. The edge rusher far exceeded expectations this season and could be in line for an extension this offseason. If the No. 3 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft gains half a sack or more, he'll get an extra $375,000 as a result of his exceptional efforts.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. will be going up against his old employers, which is motivation enough without considering the possibility of some extra cash in his pocket. One more sack will trigger a clause in the defensive end's contract that would be him $250,000 more. Considering he's only got five sacks on the season so far, whether he can accomplish this feat remains to be seen.
These incentives don't go unnoticed in the locker room. Players want their teammates to get paid. Ertz's task seems steep, but the other two are much more attainable against a frail outfit going through the motions.
Getting the contract bonuses would be nice for Ertz, Fowler, and Armstrong. However, they're far more interested in team accomplishments and helping the Commanders make their presence felt in the knockout rounds.
That's the common objective above all else.