May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 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 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 top 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
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
- LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined
If there were 32 first round picks, why only 31 options? Did somebody retire?
The dolphins forfeited their first round pick because of tampering with tom brady and I think also with coach sean Payton.
Oh, right! I forgot about that. Thank you!
I’m surprised the Lions declined Jack Campbell….interesting
They’re working on a long term deal
Off ball linebackers don’t get franchise tagged or have their options picked up because they’re lumped in with edge rushers who get classified as linebackers, like TJ Watt. The option or tag would be higher than the highest paid off ball linebacker in football.
It’s an issue for interior offensive linemen, too, since their fifth-year options are tied to offensive tackles. They need to break out interior linebackers from outside linebackers/edge rushers (or maybe off-ball LB’s from edge rushers) and centers and guards from OT’s.
Hey, Oooof!
I had thought Packers should have taken Campbell with the pick they took Van Ness. Now Campbell is looking at his former teammate and might be asking him for a few bucks for lunch.
I was interested in historical data related to the 5th year option. I found something at Over the Cap (although it needs to be updated).
link to overthecap.com
I think it shows the whole 5th Year option thing, Much like the idiotic Rooney Rule needs to be re thought and redone with position numbers reworked. It’s pretty much a no win situation for defensive players of any kind.
Yeah, you look at any highlight video and the focus will always be on the offense making plays. Defensive players are generally ignored unless they return an interception or fumble for a TD.