The NFL operates on its own calendar.

It celebrated a new year last Wednesday. And for players, Christmas just came Monday.

Performance-based pay, a compensation pool that distributes larger bonuses for players whose playing time exceeded expectation based on salary, is out for the 2015 season. Guard-tackle Kenny Wiggins was the Chargers’ biggest benefactor, earning an extra $255,145. He was one of their 12 players to collect more than $100,000.

Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman was the only other to eclipse $200,000, sitting $1,928 above the mark.


Safety Jahleel Addae was close. He collected $83.70 below.

Linebacker Kyle Emanuel, tackle Chris Hairston, tight end Ladarius Green, linebacker Jerry Attaochu, center Trevor Robinson, wide receiver Javontee Herndon, linebacker Nick Dzubnar, wide receiver Keenan Allen, cornerback Steve Williams also pulled in six figures.

Each NFL team distributed $3.8 million among its players for the 2015 season.

There is a little something for everyone who sees the field. Quarterback Philip Rivers, for example, made $7,656.73 despite having the highest salary on the team. Safety Brandian Ross, who was signed days before the Jan. 3 finale and played that one game, made the team low at $475.12.


Wiggins entered the NFL in 2011 as an undrafted rookie from Fresno State. He didn’t make the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster last September but was re-signed later that month when injuries arose. After never having played an NFL regular-season game, Wiggins went on to appear at left guard, right guard and right tackle. He was on the field for 790, or 67.4 percent, of the team’s offensive snaps while making the league minimum.

In other words, he earned this.

Merry Christmas.