The Detroit Lions may not have anything left to play for in Week 18 as a team, no playoff chase, no seeding drama, no miracle scenarios. But for defensive tackle Roy Lopez, Sunday against the Chicago Bears still means a whole lot.
Lopez is one sack away from cashing in on a major contract incentive, and you can bet his teammates know it.
One sack = $250,000
According to Spotrac, Lopez needs just one more sack to trigger a $250,000 bonus in his deal.
Sure, in NFL contract language that might not sound massive… but in real-life human being terms?
That’s house-money, life-changing-money, future-security money.
And he’s earned the shot.
Lopez has quietly carved out a strong rotational season in Detroit, appearing in all 16 games, posting 2.0 sacks and 11 solo tackles, while playing tough, disciplined interior football on a defense that’s battled injuries all year.
This is the kind of late-season storyline teammates rally around. Nobody loves padding stats… but everyone loves helping a guy hit a payday.
Expect a whole lot of support in the trenches.
Two other incentives are still technically in play… but they’re long shots
Lopez has two more escalators on the board:
• 40% snaps on the season → +$150,000
• Finish with 5 sacks (needs 3 sacks vs Chicago) → +$500,000
The sack milestone would require an all-out monster performance, we’re talking game-of-a-lifetime level stuff. The snap-count bonus is also tough, since defensive tackle rotations naturally limit reps.
But that one sack?
That’s realistic.
That’s in reach.
And that’s the one everyone inside the locker room is rooting for.
A veteran grinder chasing a well-earned reward
Lopez has fought his way through five NFL seasons: Houston, Arizona, and now Detroit. He’s not flashy. He’s not a headline guy. He’s one of those blue-collar interior linemen whose impact rarely shows up in fantasy stats… but always shows up on film.
Players like that don’t always get spotlight moments.
Week 18 is his moment.
The Bottom Line
The Lions may be closing out a frustrating season, but football is still about people, pride, and opportunity. And for Roy Lopez, one big play could mean a six-figure reward and a career-defining memory.
If he gets that sack?
Don’t be surprised if the entire sideline celebrates like he just won the Super Bowl.
Because for him?
It’ll feel pretty close.
Don Drysdale
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