One of the best parts of the NFL collective bargaining agreement is the clause that allows for performance escalators. This is a way for players who far outplay their salary to be compensated for it. Often times backups are thrust into prominent roles and when they do well, the league rewards them with something of a bonus.
In the past, the Pittsburgh Steelers paid out significant performance escalators to players before when they see a huge jump in snaps, well beyond what they are being paid. But according to Over The Cap, Pittsburgh has no players projected to earn a boost to their base salary this offseason. In the past, guys like tight end Jesse James and Martavis Bryant have earned the extra pay.
In order to qualify for the performance escalator a player a rookie drafted between the third and seventh rounds still playing on their rookie contract. Players drafted in the first or second round, as well as undrafted players, do not qualify.
