2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up 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, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM)
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM)
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM)
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM)
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM)
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): To be exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised*
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): To be exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM)
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
Falcons Expected To Hire Eagles’ Jeff Scott As Assistant GM
The Falcons’ hierarchy has generated interest this offseason, after ownership cleaned house. The team added Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham to right the ship, with the NFL viewing Ryan’s role as enough to deny the Bears two third-round picks for losing a minority exec (Cunningham) to a GM role.
Chicago promoted from within (Jeff King) to fill Cunningham’s assistant general manager post, while KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the Falcons are expected to make an outside hire to fill their AGM job. Eagles VP of football operations Jeff Scott is expected to be named the next Falcons assistant GM.
Scott worked with Cunningham in Philadelphia. The Eagles lost four execs to assistant GM roles in 2022 — Cunningham (Bears), Brandon Brown (Giants), Catherine Hickman (Browns) and Andy Weidl (Steelers) — but Cunningham and Scott overlapped in Philly from 2021-22. The Eagles hired Scott in 2021, bringing him over from Washington.
Spending nine years in Washington — most of which coming under then-president Bruce Allen — Scott climbed to the assistant director of pro scouting role by 2020. The Commanders had shaken up their organizational hierarchy in 2020, dismissing Allen and hiring Ron Rivera to head up operations from his HC post. Scott joined the Eagles as a senior pro scout and climbed to their director of football ops post in 2022, when the wave of execs left Philly for AGM roles elsewhere.
The Eagles elevated Scott to VP of football ops in 2024. This came at a key juncture for career advancement, as the Eagles assembled a strong roster ahead of their Super Bowl LIX rout of the Chiefs. Scott, who began his NFL run as an intern with Washington 14 years ago, has not taken any GM interviews. Moving to the assistant GM level, however, could greenlight some.
While many AGM positions represent top lieutenant roles, this one — thanks to Ryan’s role as president of football, a position the Falcons created for their former MVP quarterback — will bring third-in-command status. Still, Scott will be expected to become an integral part of Atlanta’s overhaul. For the Eagles, this will mark yet another Howie Roseman lieutenant to move to a high-ranking front office role elsewhere. Cunningham has climbed to the GM tier, while the other three execs to leave in 2022 have taken interviews. Brown, Hickman and Weidl each remain in their respective AGM roles; Scott now joins them on this tier.
Cardinals, Dolphins To Host Miami QB Carson Beck
The 2026 draft class is not considered strong at the quarterback position. Projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza leads the pack with Ty Simpson seen as the clear QB2 who could also break into the first round. Beyond that, this year’s slate of prospects lacks another starting-caliber talent.
But quarterback-needy teams will always be willing to take swings on the most important position in the sport, especially on the second and third days of the draft. That is where former Georgia and Miami quarterback Carson Beck is projected to be selected.
As for his destination? The Steelers and Jets have already demonstrated interest, and the Cardinals and Dolphins can now be added to that list. Beck is scheduled to visit Arizona and Miami before April’s draft, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, both teams that could stand to add a young quarterback.
The Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray earlier this month as expected. Gardner Minshew then joined Jacoby Brissett in the team’s quarterback room, giving them two veteran options to start this fall. But new head coach Mike LaFleur is surely looking for a long-term option under center. Next year’s draft offers a far richer well to draw from, but it would not hurt to take a shot on a less-heralded prospect in April.
The Dolphins are in a slightly different situation. They have a clear starter after signing Malik Willis to a three-year deal in free agency. But 2026 will be his first time in charge of an offense, and his small sample size of excellent play may not continue at a larger volume. Miami would be wise to bring in a younger passer behind Willis – who himself developed as a backup in Green Bay – to form into a backup or even the team’s next starter if Willis does not work out.
Beck would be an option for both teams. He brings plenty of experience at the highest level of college football, but that competition also exposed his lack of elite tools and potential. Landing in Arizona or Miami would not force him to step into a bigger role than he is ready for, but the two teams – especially the Cardinals – could offer more opportunities in the next three years of his rookie deal.
Cowboys To Make LB Addition, Interested In Dolphins’ Jordyn Brooks
The Cowboys’ poor linebacker play was a core part of their defensive struggles last season, but the team is hoping a full season from DeMarvion Overshown will lead to marked improvements in 2026.
However, Overshown needs a running mate in the middle of Dallas’ defense. The other linebackers on the roster are Shemar James and Justin Barron, neither of whom profile as starters in what will be their second NFL season.
The Cowboys “made a run” at a few linebackers in free agency, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said this week (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). We heard about pursuits of Devin Lloyd, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean along with an attempted trade for Patrick Queen. They were not able to land any, leaving them with a sizable void with many of the league’s top free agents already signed.
“We recognize that we need to fill some holes there,” Schottenheimer added. Executive vice president Stephen Jones concurred.
“The plan is to add skill at that position,” Jones said, “whether it’s the draft, whether it’s free agency, whether it’s a trade, or a combination of all of the above, we’ll look at all avenues.”
The Cowboys could certainly find a starting-caliber linebacker in a strong draft class, especially with an extra first-round pick from the Micah Parsons trade. Veterans like Bobby Okereke, Bobby Wagner, and Devin White are still available in free agency.
Dallas is also among the teams with interest in Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. No other suitors are known for the 28-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Miami is interested in signing Brooks to an extension, which would position him as the long-term leader of their defense. However, the rebuilding team — which recently unloaded Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade — could try to sell high after his first-team All-Pro selection last year, to a team that has a clear need at the position.
Ravens President Sashi Brown Addresses Maxx Crosby Trade
Ravens team president Sashi Brown downplayed the team’s controversial decision to back out of a trade for Maxx Crosby at league meetings this week.
“It’s unfortunate, but sometimes these things do happen – no fault of Maxx, ours or the Raiders,” Brown said (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “It’s just kind of how it played out.”
The Ravens have drawn criticism for their handling of the situation, including a three-day gap between the teams agreeing to the deal and Crosby’s physical in Baltimore. By the time the Ravens informed the Raiders of their decision, two days of the legal tampering period had already passed. That impacted not just the two teams involved, but the other 30 who had made their free agency plans under the assumption that the trade would go through.
The Raiders had already committed significant sums to new signings, while the Ravens declined to re-sign their top pending free agents with the expectation of taking on Crosby’s sizable contract. Las Vegas was able to keep its existing commitments after the reversal, but Baltimore, of course, could not come calling after its former players who already had deals with other teams. Other teams like the Cowboys, who had expressed interest in Crosby, had already moved on to other options – in Dallas’ case, Rashan Gary.
The situation has highlighted the importance of physicals in processing any NFL transaction.
“This is not the first time it’s going to happen. It will not be the last,” Brown continued, noting that the Browns backed out of their agreement to sign A.J. Epenesa on Sunday. “It’s unfortunate and rare, especially in a high-profile case like this, but that’s why the processes are in place.”
Brown also acknowledged concerns that the situation would impact the Ravens’ standing with other teams.
“We’ve got strong and long relationships across the league,” he said. “We have emphasized the importance of doing things the right way. We’ll continue to do that.”
Falcons Would Consider Kyle Pitts Trade
The Falcons slapped Kyle Pitts with the franchise tag back in February, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the tight end will stick in Atlanta for the 2026 season. Falcons GM Ian Cunningham admitted to reporters today that he’d listen to trade offers on the former first-round pick
[RELATED: Falcons Place Franchise Tag On TE Kyle Pitts]
“It’s my job as the general manager to do what’s best for the organization,” Cunningham said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic). “Kyle is a great player. We’ve seen his skill set. Also, it’s my job to listen. We’re excited to have Kyle. We’re excited for his future.”
Pitts has struggled to live up to his first-round billing through five years in the NFL, although his performance in 2025 was enough for the new regime to commit to 2026. The tight end had his most productive campaign since his rookie year, and he ultimately finished the season with a career-high 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. After being hit with the franchise tag, Pitts will now be attached to a $15MM salary in 2026.
Even before Cunningham acknowledge that a trade could be a possibility, it was uncertain if Pitts had a long-term future in Atlanta. We heard earlier this month that the tight end was expected to play out the 2026 campaign on the franchise tag, and the organization’s new leadership would use their in-person evaluation to determine any future contracts for the veteran.
Now, there’s a chance that Kevin Stefanski‘s staff might not even have an opportunity to work with the pass-catching TE. Pitts’ franchise tag removed a key player from the free agent pool, and among the six tight ends to earn at least $10MM in guaranteed money, only four switched teams (Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Chig Okonkwo, Daniel Bellinger). In other words, plenty of teams would surely consider a notable addition to their tight ends room, and while Atlanta’s front office couldn’t command a bounty, they wouldn’t lack for suitors.
If Pitts does stick in Atlanta, there will once again be some uncertainty about his role in 2026. He’ll likely be receiving passes from a new QB in Tua Tagovailoa, and he’ll be playing under a new head coach. While Stefanski has had success with the likes of David Njoku and Harold Fannin, the coach made it sound like he wants to utilize all of the tight ends on his depth chart, a grouping that also includes Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner.
“We certainly want to be a team that goes in and out of different personnel groupings,” Stefanski said (via Kendall). “The spring and summer will allow us to see what our best group is and what we want to lean into.”
Steelers Expecting Aaron Rodgers Resolution Before Draft
While Aaron Rodgers intends to take his time deciding on his status for the 2026 campaign, the Steelers are anticipating some clarity sooner than later. While speaking with reporters today, owner/president Art Rooney II acknowledged that the organization expects an answer from Rodgers before the NFL draft, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
While Rodgers seemed destined to join the Steelers last offseason, it took the quarterback until June to finally sign a contract. Rooney said the franchise isn’t expecting to wait around nearly as long this year.
“When I talked to him and Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year [to make a decision],” Rooney said. “I’m not 100% sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.”
The Steelers are expecting a quicker resolution this offseason because there aren’t as many (if any) suitors for the veteran QB. While the Raiders were mentioned as a fallback option, it’s always been assumed that Rodgers will either re-sign with Pittsburgh or hang up his cleats. While there was some speculation that the 42-year-old may want his own clarity from the draft, it’s sounding like the team’s first-year additions won’t have any influence on Rodgers’ final decision.
Also working in the Steelers’ favor is the status of Mike McCarthy, who the Steelers hired to replace long-time head coach Mike Tomlin. McCarthy and Rodgers obviously have a relationship dating back from their time in Green Bay, and it’s believed that the addition will ultimately convince the QB to re-up with the franchise. McCarthy spoke with reporters this week and said he’s spoken with Rodgers “every couple of days,” adding that he’s “comfortable with the dialogue that’s occured.”
“Just like they always are, life, football, what’s going on at the facility,” McCarthy said of his conversations with Rodgers (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “So he’s really engaged with what’s going on. … I would just say he’s in a very positive space. We’ll just continue to engage in conversations.”
While the Steelers seem to be counting on Rodgers to be under center in 2026, that won’t stop them from pursuing other players at the position. When asked if the organization would consider selecting a QB in the draft, Khan told reporters that “all options are on the table.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/31/26
One minor move to pass along:
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT D.J. Davidson
A former fifth-round pick out of Arizona State, Davidson played out his rookie contract with the Giants. He showed occasional flashes on defense through his four seasons in New York, including a 2024 campaign where he tallied a pair of sacks and two tackles for loss while getting into a career-high 262 defensive snaps. His counting stats took a step back in 2025, as Davidson finished with only nine tackles while getting into about 25 percent of his team’s defensive reps. His season ended on injured reserve after he suffered a neck injury and concussion.
Davidson may face an uphill battle to carve out a role on Washington’s defense. The team has Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and newcomer Tim Settle penciled in atop the depth chart, with the likes of Johnny Newton, Shy Tuttle, and Ricky Barber around to soak up snaps. Davidson’s ability to play special teams could earn him a roster spot, but he’ll have to overcome at least one of those aforementioned names to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Patriots To Pick Up Christian Gonzalez’s Fifth-Year Option; Sides Discussing Extension
As expected, the Patriots will commit to Christian Gonzalez for the 2027 campaign. Mike Vrabel told reporters today that the organization intends to pick up the star cornerback’s fifth-year option.
“Yes,” Vrabel said (via Mark Daniel of MassLive.com). “If we haven’t picked it up, we should pick it up.”
Gonzalez has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs, so it’s not a surprise that the Patriots are willing to lock in the former first-round pick’s $18.1MM earnings for the 2027 season. While this move was a certainty, it remains to be seen if the franchise will pony up the necessary money to sign Gonzalez to a long-term extension. For what it’s worth, Vrabel hinted today that the Patriots were interested in a long-term arrangement with their defensive leader.
“We want to make sure that we draft extremely well, and then we identify the guys that we want to keep with us and that have earned long-term extensions with us,” Vrabel said. “And Christian, Gonzo is certainly one of those players, but I can’t comment on the negotiations.”
The Patriots will have to pay up if they hope to sign Gonzalez for the long haul. The 23-year-old will surely point to the two lucrative CB extensions that were handed out last offseason: Derek Stingley Jr.‘s three-year, $90MM deal (including $89MM guaranteed) and Sauce Gardner‘s four-year, $120.4MM contract ($60MM guaranteed). Even if Gonzalez slides in just under his two peers, his next contract will certainly represent one of the highest (if not the highest) cap hit on the Patriots.
Gonzalez is certainly deserving of a spot on the CB earnings leaderboard. The former 17th-overall pick followed up his All-Pro showing in 2024 with another standout campaign in 2025. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing 46 catches on 106 targets, leading to 498 yards (including playoffs). Gonzalez was also one of New England’s lone standouts during their Super Bowl LX loss, with the cornerback making some timely stops while allowing a single 16-yard catch. PFF ultimately ranked the Pro Bowl defender 13th among corners last season.
While the two sides will have to settle on a number, it sounds like they’re both interested in extending the partnership. In addition to Vrabel’s statement today, Gonzalez previously expressed interest in sticking with the franchise. Owner Robert Kraft also stated his hope that the two sides would agree to a deal, while front office leader Eliot Wolf noted Gonzalez’s important role on the defense.
“There’s no secret we’d like to get something done with him,” Wolf said on the Up & Adams Show (via Daniels). “He’s a great talent. He’s one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He’s developing as a leader… He’s really just scratching the surface. He’s already up there as an elite talent, and we think he can improve even more.”
Lions Sign S Chuck Clark
Chuck Clark has lined up his next NFL gig. The veteran safety signed with the Lions on Tuesday, per a team announcement.
Clark had a productive six-year run in Baltimore to begin his career. His Jets debut was set to take place in 2023, but an ACL tear left him sidelined for the entire season. Clark wound up making 12 appearances with New York in 2024, operating as a defensive starter.
Last year, the former sixth-rounder joined the Steelers in free agency. Clark played in 16 combined regular and postseason games, handling a part-time workload along the way. He also chipped in on special teams, something which will presumably be Clark’s clearest path to a roster spot with his latest team. This agreement will allow him to prepare for spring work in Detroit.
The Lions have lost Daniel Thomas during free agency, but they added former Buccaneer Christian Izien. Elsewhere in the secondary, the team has brought in Roger McCreary while seeing Amik Robertson depart on the open market. Clark, 31 next month, will now enter the mix, bringing with him 123 games and 80 starts’ worth of experience. He is also familiar with a heavy third phase workload, dating back to the early portion of his career.
The Lions entered Tuesday with over $23MM in cap space. This Clark signing will not lower that figure by a considerable amount. His 2024 deal was worth $2MM, while the Virginia Tech product collected $1.42MM last year. A similar one-year pact can be expected for Clark upon arrival in the Motor City.