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With offseason programs set to begin shortly in the NFL world, the Green Bay Packers have continued with their tradition of offering players massive bonuses when it comes to showing up for workouts.
After signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith to big contracts near the start of free agency, ESPN’s Field Yates (according to Pro Football Talk) has learned that both linebackers have large workout bonuses built into their deals. For Za’Darius, he will earn a $750,000 bonus for showing up to voluntary team workouts, while Preston Smith will net a $650,000 bonus should he show up.
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This process isn’t exactly new for the Packers. While teams do have mandatory offseason workouts, it’s often likely that a player will choose to skip a voluntary one, especially if they have to travel into Green Bay to do it. On top of that, if a veteran or newly signed player knows they’ll make the team, they have even less of an incentive to want to show up, when they could conceivably stay home and work out on their own.
For that reason, the Packers have been giving out big workout bonuses to players for years, and it’s worked pretty well. Not only does the team get the players to show up and work out, but the players also get the added security of extra money, and the team benefits from having most of its talent building chemistry and a bond earlier than usual. Living in Green Bay might not have the glamor of a Miami or Los Angeles, but at least players know the Packers will take care of you when it comes to working out.
