NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- 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
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around 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)
* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** =…