Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle earned a $1 million bonus.
Dowdle reached the bonus by surpassing 1,350 scrimmage yards for the season.
The incentive was part of a one-year contract he signed with the Panthers.
Cha-ching!
That’s what Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is hearing after he racked up four yards on the first possession of the second half during his team’s regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 3.
Dowdle simply needed 7 yards to reach the 1,350 scrimmage yards of the season, which triggered a $1 million bonus. Dowdle didn’t immediately reach his payday threshold. He lost a yard on Carolina’s first play of the game and then slipped for a loss of two on his next touch. Dowdle finished the first half with 5 rushing yards.
It’s an important game for the Panthers, who could clinch the NFC South division title and the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff bracket with a win (or an Atlanta Falcons victory over the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 4).
Dowdle signed with the Panthers as a free agent last offseason on a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. The former Dallas Cowboy has already set a new career high with seven touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving) this season.
With a touchdown, Dowdle will earn an additional $250,000. Dowdle has already racked up $1.75 million in incentives between scoring six touchdowns and eclipsing the 800-, 950- and 1,100- scrimmage-yard marks.