Consider the New Orleans Saints motivated.
Coach Sean Payton amped up his players ahead of their Sunday matchup with the defending champion Eagles by wheeling the Lombardi Trophy and $201,000 in cash — along with three armed guards — into a team meeting on Monday.
It’s not the first time Payton has pulled this specific move out of his bag of tricks. Current Raiders coach Jon Gruden shared that his compatriot did the same thing in 2009, the last time the Saints won the Super Bowl.
The $201,000 represents the total bonus money players can receive for ultimate postseason glory, and the Saints took notice.
“I think guys were excited,” running back Mark Ingram told NOLA.com. “You see a thing like that full of cash, that’ll make you excited a little bit.”
“If we get it done, I need it in 20s, all in a duffle bag, delivered to my front door,” defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said.
It will take three more wins for New Orleans to achieve its goal, and Payton’s crew now has its eyes on the literal prizes.