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Broncos linebacker Shaun Phillips has been one of the best free-agent signings in the NFL this season, especially after Denver lost pass rusher Elvis Dumervil due to a fax machine snafu and given the suspension and lack of production from Von Miller this year. Phillips, signed a one-year, $1 million deal to join the Broncos from San Diego, and his 10 sacks have been vital for the team and already earned him $800,000 in bonus money.
But for Phillips, per his contract, the best may be still to come. Should he reach 12 sacks, Phillips would trigger another $400,000 in bonus money, and should he reach 14 sacks, he would earn another $800,000 on top of that. So it stands to reason the veteran could still nearly double the cumulative $1.8M he has earned thus far in base salary and bonus money.
It’s hard to imagine where the Broncos would be without Phillips. He has roughly a third of their 36 total sacks and no one else on the roster has more than five.
