NFLPA pushing for increase in veterans' performance-based pay

The financial carrot dangled to NFL players for outperforming their contracts may be getting bigger.

FOX Sports has learned that the NFL Players Association has proposed the idea of potentially splitting the performance-based pay (PBP) pool into separate categories for veterans and rookies.

As first reported by FOX Sports, the NFLPA’s board of player representatives has already passed a resolution calling for a significant increase in the current performance-based pay program. The resolution advocated that the PBP pool rise by at least $1 million per team starting this season. Future increases would be based upon the annual percentage growth in salary cap.

A $32 million increase would mark a 28 percent rise from the overall payout of $116.3 million from the 2014 campaign.

The NFL and NFLPA continue to negotiate the parameters of the 2015 performance-based pay program, a source told FOX Sports.

To create a second PBP pool, an additional portion of money would be set aside annually before the salary cap was calculated.

The performance-based pay program was implemented in 2002 as a way to reward players who outperformed their contracts when comparing production to salary. Immediate rookie starters who are late-round picks or undrafted usually benefit the most.

Six members of the 2014 draft class led the NFL in last season's performance-based pay led by Buffalo Bills right tackle and seventh-round pick Seantrel Henderson, who earned an extra $373,671 along with his $420,000 base salary. The top veteran was Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum at $297, 687.

The PBP program has paid out $925 million to players since its 2002 inception.