In his fourth NFL season, linebacker Jamien Sherwood was on the field for 1,065 defensive snaps and 113 special-teams plays while being paid $1.05 million by the New York Jets in 2024.

That combination proved to be worth $1,092,206 for the former Auburn standout under the NFL’s performance-based pay program – the highest amount awarded to a player for the 2024 season. Performance-based pay started after the 2002 season with a goal of awarding bonuses to those who outplay their contract.

The NFL announced the program’s top earners for the 2024 season on Wednesday.

Under the program, each team received more than $14 million to distribute to its players for the 2024 season. How much each player was entitled to receive was determined by comparing playing time to compensation. Lower-paid players with high snap counts get bigger pieces of their team’s supplemental pie.

Four other players received performance-based pay bonuses of more than $1 million for the 2024 season, including former Spain Park High School standout Michael Jackson.

As a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers, Jackson was on the field for 1,205 defensive snaps and 103 special-teams plays for $1.055 million.

The formula for determining performance-based pay added up to a $1,035,260 bonus for Jackson, the third-highest for the 2024 season.

Also in the top 25 for performance-based pay in 2024 was former Alabama linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. In his second season with the Houston Texans, To’oTo’o had 830 defensive snaps and 53 special-teams plays for a $915,000 salary. To’oTo’o qualified for an $820,070 performance bonus.

Sherwood and Jackson were qualified to become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, but each re-signed with his 2024 team.

Sherwood got a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the Jets. Jackson signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract extension with the Panthers.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.