Offseason workouts in the NFL are voluntary. That is true. Players do not have to attend.

Offseason Workout Bonuses The Giants who will benefit financially from participating in offseason workouts: Player Bonus QB Eli Manning $500K DE Olivier Vernon $250K DT Damon Harrison $250K DE Jason Pierre-Paul $250K CB Janoris Jenkins $100K LB Keenan Robinson $100K OL D.J. Fluker $100K RB Shane Vereen $100K DE Owa Odighizuwa $40K DT Jay Bromley $40K TE Rhett Ellison $25K G John Jerry $25K WR Dwayne Harris $25K LB Jonathan Casillas $25K QB Geno Smith $25K RB Shaun Draughn $25K LB J.T. Thomas $25K P Brad Wing $25K S Darian Thompson $25K CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie $20K CB Antwon Blake $20K QB Josh Johnson $15K RB Orleans Darkwa $10K

It doesn’t mean they are not incentivized to attend. There is $7,351,700 at stake this offseason for 23 New York Giants.

That money is available in the form or workout bonuses, a common practice used by the Giants (and most of the NFL) in veteran contracts. Quarterback Eli Manning can earn $500,000 if he completes 90 percent of the offseason program. Defensive linemen Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Jason Pierre-Paul each have $250,000 on the table, payable in September.

The way it is written into most contracts:

"In each of the [insert years] League Years, Player will be paid a bonus of [insert amount] if he satisfactorily participates in and completes 90% or more of the Club’s entire off-season program. If earned, this bonus will be paid on the first Wednesday after the Club’s first NFL Regular Season Game of the applicable League Year [insert year]. Club’s General Manager and Head Strength Coach shall be the only authorities in determining whether Player has satisfied the 90% participation requirement, in their sole discretion. Under this Paragraph [insert number], the maximum amount Player is eligible to receive during each of the [insert years] League Years is [insert amount] which is inclusive of the minimum off-season per diem amount available in Appendix P."

So the Giants players don’t need to show up, but there is an additional bag waiting for many them if they do. Sounds like an easy decision.

Most players like the camaraderie and team environment anyway. The benefits of working with coaches and teammates can make them better players and a better team for the upcoming season.

The extra check doesn’t hurt either. It’s a nice incentive to be at the facility Tuesday for the start of the offseason workout program, which stretches into June.