New Orleans Saints defensive end Alex Okafor finished the 2018 regular season with four sacks. He reportedly fell one short of an original contract incentive that would have paid him $400,000 if he managed five.
But, perhaps feeling generous after such a successful 2018 campaign, the Saints bought out Okafor’s incentive and paid him the $400,000 to reward him for his hard work.
Saints DE Alex Okafor needed 5.0 sacks to earn a $400K incentive this season. He had 4.0 entering Week 17, but the Saints bought out the incentive, just paying Okafor the $400K instead, per source. Quality move by a top organization to reward a player who has become a key piece.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 2, 2019
This is pretty cool, as Okafor’s contribution ultimately helped the Saints achieve the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The team first clinched its division and then home-field advantage in Week 16.
Next up for Okafor will be a home divisional playoff game against a to be determined opponent once the dust from Wild Card Weekend settles.
Okafor’s next game makes for only his second career playoff since he appeared postseason for the Arizona Cardinals in 2014.