When Tyrod Taylor turned down more money from the Denver Broncos to sign with the Buffalo Bills in March, he did so because he believed he had a shot at winning the starting job.
Six months later, that's exactly what Taylor has done.
His cap number this season is a mere $833,333, but he can earn more through various incentives built into his deal. Further, if Taylor plays 50 percent or more of the team's offensive snaps in 2015 or 2016, his final year of his deal (2017) will void.
What incentives can Taylor hit over the next three seasons? ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates has acquired that information:
Playing time incentives (2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons):
Each season, the Bills agree to pay Taylor one of the below amounts if he participates in the minimum percentage of Bills' total offensive plays.
50 percent or more offensive snaps: $250,000.00 OR
60 percent or more offensive snaps: $500,000.00 OR
70 percent or more offensive snaps: $750,000.00 OR
80 percent or more offensive snaps: $1,000,000.00
The maximum amount Taylor may earn each season is $1,000,000.00. This bonus, if earned, shall be paid by March 15 of the following year.
The maximum amount Taylor may earn is $3,000,000.00 over the term of this contract.
Playing time and playoff incentives (2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons):
Each season, the Bills agree to pay Taylor one of the below amounts if he (1) participates in the minimum percentage of Bills' total offensive plays, and (2) the Bills win at least one playoff game that season, and (3) Taylor participates in the minimum percentage of Bills' offensive snaps in that playoff game.
50 percent or more offensive snaps: $250,000.00 OR
60 percent or more offensive snaps: $500,000.00 OR
70 percent or more offensive snaps: $750,000.00 OR
80 percent or more offensive snaps: $1,000,000.00
The maximum amount Taylor may earn each season is $1,000,000.00. This bonus, if earned, shall be paid by March 15 of the following year.
The maximum amount Taylor may earn is $3,000,000.00 over the term of this contract.
Salary escalator (2016 season):
If Taylor, from the first day of the 2016 NFL league year through Club's final scheduled 2016 pre-season game (i) timely reports to and fully participates in the Club's entire off-season mini camp(s) unless placed on reserved/injured or is otherwise injured and medically excused or excused by the Club's physician, head trainer or Head Coach, AND (ii) Taylor timely reports to and fully participates in the Club's entire pre-season training camp unless placed on reserve/injured or is otherwise injured and medically excused by the Club's physician, head trainer or Head Coach, THEN Taylor's Paragraph 5 salary for the 2016 League year shall escalate by an amount equivalent to one of the amounts identified below if during the 2015 NFL Regular Season Player participates in Club's total Offensive Plays, exclusive of Special Teams, as follows:
50 percent or more offensive snaps: $250,000.00 OR
60 percent or more offensive snaps: $500,000.00 OR
70 percent or more offensive snaps: $750,000.00 OR
80 percent or more offensive snaps: $1,000,000.00
The maximum increase to Taylor's 2016 base salary is $1,000,000.