If a player achieves a rushing performance bonus in one year, how is the incentive classified the following year?

When a player achieves a rushing performance bonus in one year, that incentive is classified as always likely to be earned (LTBE) for the following year. This classification is based on the premise that if a player meets performance benchmarks consistently, those achievements can be seen as establishing a new norm or expectation for future performance.

In the salary cap calculations, LTBE incentives are those that are deemed likely to be earned based on previous achievements. Therefore, if a player has successfully met the criteria for a bonus in the past, it indicates a strong likelihood that they will do so again, making it reasonable to assume that this incentive should be counted as a likely future expense against the salary cap.

In contrast, if a player has not consistently hit similar performance metrics, or if a new situation arises (such as injuries or changes in team strategy), the incentive might be classified differently in terms of likelihood to earn. However, this scenario specifically acknowledges the player’s prior performance, supporting the classification of the following year’s incentive as LTBE.