Giants LB Markus Golden Earns Surprise $1 Million Bonus After NFL Issues Stat Correction

When linebacker Markus Golden signed with the New York Giants in free agency last offseason, his one-year contract came with a maximum value of just under $5 million. In order to earn a $1.5 million roster bonus, he has to appear in 16 games. On Sunday, he's almost guaranteed to achieve that mark. But another $1 million in incentives was tied to an all-important defensive plateau: reaching 10 sacks on the year.

Well, it took a little extra drama, but thanks to an official statistical correction issued by the NFL, it turns out that Golden doesn't have any extra work to do in Week 17.

After wrapping last week's game against Washington with 9.5 sacks according to official recordkeeping, the league ruled Thursday that what was previously credited as a half-sack has been adjusted into a full one. Golden now has 10 for the year -- and is suddenly $1 million richer.

Not bad for a late Christmas present.

Not a whole heck of a lot has gone right for the G-Men in 2019, but the 28-year-old outside 'backer has been a bright spot. After four years with the Cardinals, he's already set career highs in starts, solo tackles, combined tackles, and QB hits. And though he won't be playing postseason football, he has all the more time to spend that surprise bonus.