Right tackle Matt Feiler was the lowest-paid starter on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2019, but he nearly matched his compensation in performance-based pay, according to figures released by the NFL on Thursday.
Feiler earned $387,578 in performance-based pay for his play last season, but he also was awarded $236,004 from a veteran pool, a player benefit created in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.
Feiler’s bonus compensation was $623,582, which was nearly equal his base salary of $645,000.
The performance-based pay program was created to compensate players, including rookies, based upon their playing time and salary levels. It’s especially beneficial for players such as Feiler who were signed as undrafted free agents.
Here are the Top 25 earnings in performance based pay — a pool that will increased dramatically if a new CBA is passed. #Chiefs CB Charvarius Ward leads the way. pic.twitter.com/I9qw2TvxHB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2020
Feiler will be a restricted free agent once the NFL year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The Steelers can tender Feiler a salary ranging from $2,144,000 to $4,667,000.
Feiler was the only Steelers player listed among the top 25 receiving distributions. The most money went to Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, who pocketed a combined $654,750 between the two programs. New England Patriots center Ted Karras was second at $635,947.
The performance-based pay program will provide nearly $148 million for NFL players, with an additional $83.2 million coming from the veteran pool.
Former Pitt safety Jordan Whitehead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received $529,341 in bonus compensation, which ranked No. 15 among players.
