NFL franchises must decide by May 2 whether to formally exercise the fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2021 draft. Changes introduced in the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) altered the option system, making them fully guaranteed instead of being guaranteed only for injury. Additionally, the salaries for these fifth-year options are now calculated based on a combination of factors including the player’s position, draft position, and performance and usage metrics.
The fifth-year option in NFL rookie contracts is a provision that allows teams to extend the contract of first-round draft picks for an additional year. The value of this option is determined by various factors, including the player’s position, draft position, and performance metrics.
The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) introduced changes to the option structure, making them fully guaranteed rather than guaranteed for injury only.
The salaries for these fifth-year options are now calculated based on a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement, and performance- and usage-based benchmarks. For instance, two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag, one-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag, and players who achieve certain snap rate thresholds will receive the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position. Players who do not meet these benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
As the deadline approaches, we will utilize the area below to monitor and record all the option choices made by teams across the league.
- QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM)
- QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM)
- QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM)
- TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM)
- WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
- WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): To be exercised
- T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM)
- CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
- WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
- QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): To be declined
- DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
- T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM)
- OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM)
- QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM)
- LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM)
- T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
- LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): To be exercised
- LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM)
- WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM)
- DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM)
- CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM)
- T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM)
- RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Expected to be exercised
- RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM)
- CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM)
- WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): Extended through 2026
- DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM)
- CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM)
- DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM)
- LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM)
- LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM)
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