Which of the following is excluded from a rookie salary?

The correct choice highlights that PPE, or Performance-Based Pay, is excluded from a rookie salary. Understanding this requires a grasp of how rookie salaries are structured in the NFL.

Rookie contracts often include various components, such as signing bonuses, guaranteed compensation, and base salaries. These elements are essential to a player's financial package as they ensure a certain level of pay and security for the player. On the other hand, Performance-Based Pay is an incentive-based component that rewards players for their performance during the regular season based on their playing time and production statistics.

Since PPE is contingent upon performance aspects measured after a player has already been contracted, it isn't considered a guaranteed component of a rookie's salary upon entry into the league. Thus, while other elements like signing bonuses, guaranteed compensation, and base salaries contribute to a rookie's overall salary structure, PPE is separate, highlighting the emphasis on player performance over the initial contract terms. This distinction is crucial for understanding rookie contract nuances and how different salary components can significantly impact a player's financial outlook in their initial years in the league.