Fifth-Year Option Tracker: Whose Option Has Been Exercised So Far?
Tuesday is the deadline for NFL teams to exercise the fifth-year option on eligible players from the 2020 NFL Draft.
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 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.
1. Multiple Pro Bowls: Players who made two Pro Bowls on the original ballot (not reserve) will have their 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 have their 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 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.
Here are all of the players (sorted by position), what they’re due in 2024 on the option, and whether or not the option has been picked up or declined.
Quarterbacks
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl) — Exercised
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl) — Exercised
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: $23,171,000 (playing time) — Exercised
- Jordan Love, Packers: $20,272,000 (basic) — Extended
Running Backs
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs: $5,461,000 (basic) — Declined
Wide Receivers
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $19,743,000 (multiple Pro Bowls) — Exercised
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $17,991,000 (one Pro Bowl) — Exercised
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $14,124,000 (playing time) — Exercised
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos: $12,987,000 (basic) — Exercised
- Jalen Reagor, Vikings: $12,987,000 (basic) — Declined
Offensive Tackles
- Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers: $18,244,000 (multiple Pro Bowls) — Exercised
- Andrew Thomas, Giants: $14,175,000 (playing time) — Exercised
- Jedrick Wills, Browns: $14,175,000 (playing time) — Exercised
- Austin Jackson, Dolphins: $14,175,000 (playing time) — Declined
- Mekhi Becton, Jets: $13,565,000 (basic) — Declined
Centers
- Cesar Ruiz, Saints: $14,175,000 (playing time) — Declined
Defensive Ends
- Chase Young, Commanders: $17,452,000 (one Pro Bowl) — Declined
- K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars: $12,141,000 (basic) — Declined
Defensive Tackles
- Derrick Brown, Panthers: $11,665,000 (playing time) — Exercised
- Javon Kinlaw, 49ers: $10,455,000 (basic) — Declined
Linebackers
- Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals: $12,722,000 (playing time) — Declined
- Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks: $12,722,000 (playing time) — Declined
- Patrick Queen, Ravens: $12,722,000 (playing time) — Declined
- Kenneth Murray, Chargers: $11,727,000 (basic) — Declined
Cornerbacks
- A.J. Terrell, Falcons: $12,344,000 (playing time) — Declined
- Jeff Okudah, Lions: $11,514,000 (basic) — Voided
- C.J. Henderson, Panthers: $11,514,000 (basic) — Declined
- Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins: $11,514,000 (basic) — Declined
