NEWSLETTER
With the Pro Bowl in the books, we know what it will cost each team to exercise their fifth-year options for the 2024 season.
Players chosen in the first round of the NFL draft sign four-year contracts. Those contracts come with a team option for a fifth season. After the player completes his third year in the league, teams have to decide by May 3 if they want to exercise the option.
There are tiers for the cost of these fifth-year options that vary by Pro Bowl selections, playing time, and more.
Here’s a quick rundown of those tiers:
1. Multiple Pro Bowls: Players who made two Pro Bowls on the original ballot (not reserve) will have their fifth-year base salary equal to the franchise tag tender at their position.
2. One Pro Bowl: Players who made one Pro Bowl on the original ballot (not alternate) have their fifth-year base salary equal to the transition tag at their position.
3. Playing time: For players who didn’t make a Pro Bowl, but their snap counts during their first three seasons meet one of the following three requirements: a) 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons b) an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons. c) 50% or greater over all three seasons. These players will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
4. Basic: Players who do not meet any of the requirements above will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
So, here’s who is eligible and how much they will make, according to The 33rd Team:
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert will check in with the highest price tag in this draft class. Burrow and Herbert play the game’s most premium position. Both have been selected to a Pro Bowl. However, Burrow likely gets an extension this year.
Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit the playing time incentive marker and will make $23.1 million in 2024 if the Dolphins exercise his option.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love hit none of the thresholds as he has been Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the past three seasons. Love might be the only quarterback not to receive an extension or have his option exercised this offseason.
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: $23,171,000 (playing time)
- Jordan Love, Packers: $20,272,000 (basic)
Running Backs
The only running back who qualifies is Clyde Edwards-Helaire. While Edwards-Helaire is only in line for the basic escalator, Isiah Pacheco’s emergence makes it unlikely that the Chiefs exercise that one.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs: $5,461,000 (basic)
Wide Receivers
What a wide receiver class it was! Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb hit the top performance escalators, and Brandon Aiyuk hit the playing time. Jerry Jeudy and Jalen Reagor get the basic bump. But I can’t see Reagor’s getting exercised in Minnesota.
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $19,743,000 (multiple Pro Bowls)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $17,991,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $14,124,000 (playing time)
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos: $12,987,000 (basic)
- Jalen Reagor, Vikings: $12,987,000 (basic)
Offensive Tackles
Mekhi Becton is the most likely candidate not to have his option exercised in this group.
- Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers: $18,244,000 (multiple Pro Bowls)
- Andrew Thomas, Giants: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Jedrick Wills, Browns: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Austin Jackson, Dolphins: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Mekhi Becton, Jets: $13,565,000 (basic)
Centers
New Orleans’ Cesar Ruiz is the only eligible center in the draft class.
- Cesar Ruiz, Saints: $14,175,000 (playing time)
Defensive Ends
Chase Young is an interesting decision for the Washington Commanders, given his health issues.
- Chase Young, Commanders: $17,452,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars: $12,141,000 (basic)
Defensive Tackles
Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw are the two tackles eligible for a fifth-year option this offseason.
- Derrick Brown, Panthers: $11,665,000 (playing time)
- Javon Kinlaw, 49ers: $10,455,000 (basic)
Linebackers
- Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Patrick Queen, Ravens: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Kenneth Murray, Chargers: $11,727,000 (basic)
Cornerbacks
- A.J. Terrell, Falcons: $12,344,000 (playing time)
- Jeff Okudah, Lions: $11,514,000 (basic)
- C.J. Henderson, Panthers: $11,514,000 (basic)
- Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins: $11,514,000 (basic)
