Sean Rhyan’s 35% Snap Goal Missed—By the Slimmest Margin
In professional football, success is often measured in inches. For Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Sean Rhyan, success—or at least a massive financial reward—came down to two plays. That’s all he needed. Two more offensive snaps over the course of three NFL seasons, and he would’ve pocketed an extra $2 million heading into 2025.
Instead, Rhyan, a 2022 third-round pick out of UCLA, will head into the final year of his rookie deal earning $1.36 million in base salary—exactly $2,042,429 short of what he could’ve earned had he met a critical playtime threshold embedded in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
This isn’t just a story about math. It’s about timing, role development, a little bad luck, and the unforgiving precision of NFL contract incentives.
A Deal with Strings Attached
Rhyan’s rookie contract was a standard four-year, $5.12 million deal. Like many players selected outside the first two rounds, his agreement included a clause tied to the league’s “Proven Performance Escalator” (PPE). This incentive gives players drafted in Rounds 3 through 7 a shot at a significant pay boost heading into the final year of their rookie deals, provided they meet certain snap count thresholds.
The requirement? Either participate in 35% of your team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of your first three seasons or average at least 35% across all three years.
By that standard, Rhyan fell painfully short.
The Breakdown: A Game of Numbers
Let’s rewind. In 2022, his rookie season, Rhyan dressed for only one game. He played exactly one snap—on special teams. That’s right, one solitary play, and not even on offense. That year, the Packers ran 1,094 offensive plays, meaning Rhyan’s contribution to the offense was effectively zero percent.
In 2023, he saw limited action as a backup guard, logging 183 offensive snaps out of a possible 1,096 (16.7%). A slight uptick, but still not enough to move the needle much.
It wasn’t until 2024 that Rhyan broke through as a full-time starter. After a rotational start to the year, he solidified his role after the team’s first-round draft pick, Jordan Morgan, was lost to a shoulder injury midseason. From Week 10 onward, Rhyan barely left the field. He logged 961 offensive snaps that year—88.8% of the team’s total.
The problem? Even with that productive 2024, his three-year total came out to 1,144 offensive snaps out of a potential 3,272. That’s 34.952%. Not 35.000%. Not enough.
He missed the threshold by just two plays.
What Two Plays Cost
Had Rhyan reached the 35% mark, he would’ve triggered the escalator clause, increasing his 2025 base salary to $3.406 million—roughly the same as a restricted free agent’s tender. That’s a life-changing difference, and for most athletes outside the superstar bracket, it’s the kind of payday they work years to earn.
Unfortunately, there’s no room for rounding in these contract rules. According to league sources, the collective bargaining agreement stipulates exact compliance. Teams can’t fudge the numbers or “do the player a favor” just because the miss was marginal. It’s black and white.
In fact, Rhyan’s camp was under the impression he had qualified. His agent, Cameron Foster, cited snap counts listed on Pro Football Reference, which had Rhyan at 1,146 plays—good for 35.003%. But those are unofficial numbers. The only figures that count come from the NFL and the NFL Players Association, which pegged his total just two plays lower.
“It’s disappointing,” Foster told ESPN. “We had him at exactly 35%. But the official tally came in just under, and the team isn’t honoring the escalator. Nothing we can do now.”
The Missed Opportunity
What makes this sting worse is that Rhyan’s near-miss wasn’t due to a decline in play or discipline issues—at least not recently. He actually had one of the better years of his young career in 2024, stepping up when the Packers needed him most.
His biggest opportunity to hit the mark evaporated during a Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions. Rhyan exited briefly after a collision with linebacker Kwon Alexander. He only missed eight snaps but returned to finish the game. Had he stayed on the field for even those eight plays, he would’ve cleared the threshold.
Ironically, it wasn’t that Rhyan was ineffective—it was that he got hurt doing his job.
History Repeats Itself
This isn’t the first time money has slipped through Rhyan’s fingers. As a rookie, he was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. That cost him $235,000 in base salary and put him in a developmental hole early in his career.
Still, Rhyan clawed his way back. His 2024 performance didn’t just earn him a full-time role—it earned respect. And while the $2 million escalator vanished, he did receive a consolation prize of sorts: a $697,006 payout from the NFL’s performance-based pay program. That ranked third on the team, behind only offensive tackles Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom.
But let’s be honest—$697K is not $2 million. And it wasn’t guaranteed.
No Wiggle Room for the Packers
While fans might wonder why the team couldn’t just “give him the money,” it’s not that simple. According to contract insiders, escalating salary provisions are dictated by exact language. NFL teams don’t have the authority to round up or make exceptions. Doing so would require a formal contract extension, which would impact the salary cap and potentially set a precedent the league wants to avoid.
Moreover, the Packers may not be ready to commit beyond 2025 just yet. With Jordan Morgan returning and competition on the offensive line heating up, Rhyan still has to prove he deserves a long-term role in Green Bay.
Source: Packers’ Sean Rhyan missed out on $2M raise by two snaps
What Comes Next
Rhyan enters 2025 with a chip on his shoulder—and something to prove. He’ll likely start the season as the front-runner at right guard, though Morgan could challenge for that spot again depending on health and training camp performance.
The timing couldn’t be more important. Rhyan will be a free agent after this season, and his next contract—whether in Green Bay or elsewhere—will hinge on his ability to stay healthy, stay productive, and show that 2024 wasn’t a fluke.
The good news? Rhyan now has a year of starting experience under his belt and a clear path to playing time. The bad news? Every snap counts—and he knows that better than anyone now.
The Bigger Picture
Stories like Rhyan’s highlight the cold, businesslike side of the NFL. In a league where most players never make it past their rookie deals, small margins can mean millions. Every play, every moment on the field, is tracked, tallied, and—ultimately—valued.
It’s a harsh reminder that in professional football, greatness isn’t just measured in touchdowns and tackles. Sometimes, it’s measured in decimal points.
Read More: How Sean Rhyan Came Up Two Plays Short of a Big Payday