How Tom Brady can hit a $562,500 contract incentive thanks to the Buccaneers running game

The Buccaneers run offense can get Brady half a million dollars

Tom Brady has several contract incentives he can reach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and one of them won't depend on the future Hall of Fame quarterback's ability to throw the football. Brady has a $562,500 bonus hinging on Ronald Jones, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Le'Veon Bell and the Buccaneers offensive line in Week 18.

The Buccaneers average 4.35 yards per carry this season, higher than their 4.12 average in 2020. Per ESPN's Michael Rothstein, if the Buccaneers finish with a higher yards per carry average than last season, Brady will receive a $562,500 bonus in his contract. If the Buccaneers merely match their season average of 4.3 yards per carry on Sunday, Brady will get the bonus. 

Brady already hit a $562,500 bonus in throwing 40 touchdown passes this season, becoming the second quarterback in NFL history to throw 40 touchdowns in consecutive seasons. The Buccaneers quarterback only needed 25 touchdown passes this season to hit that bonus. He'll get another $562,500 by staying in the top five in passing yards (Brady is currently first in the league in passing yards at 4,990). He's got 379 more yards than the player currently in fifth, Joe Burrow, so it appears Brady will be getting that incentive. 

Brady can earn another $562,500 if he finishes in the top five in passer rating. He's currently eighth in the league heading into Week 18 at 100.5. Kirk Cousins sits fifth at 101.3, meaning the top five is reachable for Brady. 

Brady has $2.25 million on the line in contract incentives this week, assuming he can reach all the thresholds. Even if Brady only gets half of them, grabbing over $1 million isn't a bad bonus.