Ronald Leary gets paid... sort of

Ronald Leary made $405,000 in 2013 and started every game at left guard.

Because of his playing time and low base salary based on one year of experience, Leary earned an extra $307,104.43 as part of the NFL’s performance-based pay system. Each team is given $3.46 million to divide among the players and it does not count against the salary cap.

The system was designed to reward players whose level of playing time did not match their base salary. Leary, an undrafted free agent in 2012, took part in 990 of 997 offensive snaps in 2013.

Leary was one of 12 Cowboys to earn at least $90,000.

Safety Jeff Heath: $247,273.09
Defensive tackle Nick Hayden: $156,788.33
Wide receiver Terrance Williams: $153,719.19
Defensive end George Selvie: $141,704.71
Linebacker Kyle Wilber: $137,825.71
Safety J.J. Wilcox: $134,132.05
Tight end James Hanna: $112,413.69
Center Travis Frederick: $101,334.51
Running back DeMarco Murray: $98,646.61
Safety Barry Church: $96,884.40
Linebacker Ernie Sims: $90,679.43

Anthony Spencer, who played 34 snaps all season, earned the smallest check: $369.97.

The only catch is that the players do not get the cash until 2016.