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): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- 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): Exercised
- 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): To be declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): 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): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
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.”
Christian Gonzalez Open To Pats Extension
Christian Gonzalez was limited to just four games as a rookie. In the two years since then, he has established himself as one of the league’s top cornerbacks. 
This offseason could be impactful from a financial standpoint. A decision will need to be made on Gonzalez’s fifth-year option, and New England can of course be expected to exercise it. That will lock in a 2027 salary of $11.97MM, a figure much lower than what a long-term pact will cost.
A second contract can be negotiated at any time with Gonzalez having played three seasons in the NFL. The former 17th overall pick earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024, an indication of his abilities when healthy. This past season, Gonzalez received his first Pro Bowl nod. Any new Patriots deal would bring about a considerable raise, and he would welcome the opportunity to remain in New England for the foreseeable future.
“Oh, yeah, no doubt,” Gonzalez said (via MassLive’s Mark Daniels) when asked about his desire to work out a new pact with the Patriots. “This is where I got drafted, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
New England made a big-ticket cornerback addition last year in free agency by signing Carlton Davis. The former Buccaneer and Lion landed a three-year, $54MM pact and served as a full-time starter during his debut Patriots campaign. The same was true of Gonzalez, who delivered another strong showing in coverage in 2025 while recording double-digit pass deflections once again.
The Colorado and Oregon product was also a standout performer during the playoffs. Gonzalez racked up seven pass breakups across four games – highlighted by a few key plays during Super Bowl LX – while adding one interception and one sack. That production will no doubt help his case for securing one of the most lucrative cornerback deals around the league.
The CB market saw a number of jumps over the course of the 2025 offseason. Jaycee Horn, Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner are each attached to deals averaging at least $25MM per year. Given the rise in the salary cap – which will bring the ceiling for spending above $300MM per team – the list of players in that top echelon at the position could continue to grow this spring. If that proves to be the case, Gonzalez will be a strong candidate for a major raise.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Expected To Play In Week 4
Christian Gonzalez has missed the first three games of the campaign but New England could receive a major boost on defense Sunday. The team’s top cornerback has continued to make progress in rehabbing his hamstring injury.
As such, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Gonzalez is “likely” to make his season debut in Week 4. The 2023 first-rounder was limited to just four games as a rookie but he managed to make 16 appearances last season. Avoiding any further missed time this year would represent a major boost to the Patriots’ defense. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds practice participation will be key in determining if a debut will take place on Sunday.
Gonzalez returned to practice last week after a longer-than-expected period on the sidelines. The 23-year-old declined to confirm whether or not he encountered any setbacks in his rehab process, but it now appears as though he will be available against the Panthers. Per Schultz, Gonzalez was close to returning in Week 3 and has managed to handle an increased workload over the past few days.
Through three weeks, the Patriots rank 29th against the pass with an average of 256 yards allowed through the air per game. The free agent addition of Carlton Davis has provided the team with a new perimeter starter, while Marcus Jones remains in place as a key figure in the slot. Adding Gonzalez to the mix should help New England’s defense take a needed step forward.
The Colorado and Oregon product recorded a pair of interceptions in 2024, adding 11 pass deflections and one touchdown from a fumble recovery. Gonzalez earned second-team All-Pro acclaim, raising expectations for his third year in the NFL. He will be eligible for an extension beginning in January, while a fifth-year option decision will need to be made after the current campaign. It will thus be critical for team and player for Gonzalez to remain healthy moving forward; all parties will hope Sunday produces a return to action without any aggravations of his hamstring or any new injuries.
Pats’ Christian Gonzalez Returns To Practice
SEPTEMBER 20: The Patriots have officially ruled Gonzalez out for this weekend. As expected, a rapid ramp-up ended up being too much to ask of the third-year defender. His return to practice this week remains good news, though, as he’ll now have another full week to work his way up to full strength without having to rush anything.
SEPTEMBER 17: Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced for the first time since July 28 as he works his way back from a hamstring injury, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe) that Gonzalez could return Patriots’ Week 3 matchup against the Steelers, according to but that would require a rapid ramp-up from an injury that has sidelined him for almost seven weeks.
Earlier in September, Vrabel hinted that the team was hoping for a quicker recovery from Gonzalez, according to Reiss, but he now appears to be trending in the right direction. After Wednesday’s practice, the former first-round pick declined (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald) to answer questions about his injury, including one about a potential setback in his rehab process.
Gonzalez’s return would be a major boost to a Patriots secondary that has allowed the most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks. Fellow third-year corner Alex Austin has struggled in both games, allowing a 144.4 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Gonzalez’s game-changing ability to shadow and shut down opposing WR1’s would take significant pressure off of New England’s safeties, especially with a strong start from No. 2 cornerback Carlton Davis.
Gonzalez was likely limited in his return to the practice field, but his status over the next few days will be worth monitoring as the Patriots prepare to host the Steelers.
NFL DB Injury Updates: Seahawks, Steelers, Gonzalez, Bland, Johnson
Seahawks are nursing a banged-up secondary heading into Week 2 and will likely be without starting cornerback Devon Witherspoon and first-round safety Nick Emmanwori.
Witherspoon played every snap in Week 1 but didn’t practice this week due to a knee injury. He’s listed as doubtful on Seattle’s injury report and seems very unlikely to take the field. The injury is not thought to be serious, said head coach Mike Macdonald (via Michael Shawn-Dugar of The Athletic).
Emmanwori only played four snaps in his NFL debut before going down with a high ankle sprain. He didn’t participate this week, either, and was ruled out for Sunday’s game. Macdonald added that Emmanwori will avoid injured reserve for right now after mentioning the possibility earlier in the week, per Shawn-Dugar.
Witherspoon’s absence this weekend will force another Seahawks defender to step up in the slot, a decision that will be further complicated with Emmanwori sidelined. He could have been another option at nickel or lined up at safety with Julian Love in the slot; instead, Seattle will have to flip an outside cornerback into the slot or put inexperienced third-year safety Ty Okada on the field.
Here are some other secondary injury updates from around the NFL:
- Seattle will also be facing a depleted secondary on Sunday with Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) joining DeShon Elliott (knee) on the sidelines, per Seahawks team reporter John Boyle. First-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon will also have to wait another week before his NFL debut as he recovers from a knee injury.
- Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed (via All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill) that cornerback DaRon Bland would miss two to three weeks with a foot sprain. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer added that an IR placement is not expected at this time, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
- Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was ruled out for a second week in a row, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 2023 first-round pick still hasn’t returned to practice since July 28 due to a hamstring injury.
- The Bears will get cornerback Jaylon Johnson back in Week 2 as he finished the week without an injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Lions.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Sidelined For Week 1
The Patriots will be without star cornerback Christian Gonzalez in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury, but rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell will make his NFL debut.
Campbell was listed as questionable on New England’s final injury report, but the No. 5 pick will play through an ankle injury to protect Drake Maye‘s blind side.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said (via Chad Graff of The Athletic) on Friday that Gonzalez would be sidelined for the Patriots’ regular season opener against the Raiders.
“Everybody heals differently,” said Vrabel this week (via Graff), adding that he wants to make sure that his players can “do their job with confidence…protect themselves on the field and…can’t make it any worse.”
Gonzalez’s absence will leave the Patriots without their best cornerback and arguably their best defensive player against a new-look Raiders offense. Third-year corner Alex Austin will likely be the next man up at boundary cornerback opposite veteran Carlton Davis with Marcus Jones in the slot.
Gonzalez suffered the injury during the Patriots’ first day of padded practices on July 28. He hasn’t practiced since, making it unclear if he’ll even be back for Week 2, which brings a tougher set of receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The 2023 first-round pick endured a disappointing rookie year that ended after just four games due to a major shoulder injury. He came back to start 16 games with 978 defensive snaps, two interceptions, and a 71.7 passer rating when targeted. That earned him a second-team All-Pro nod as well as a fifth-place finish in Comeback Player of the Year voting, setting up a highly-anticipated third campaign ahead of his extension eligibility next offseason. Those expectations will have to wait at least one more game while Gonzalez gets back to full strength.
Patriots Turning Down Interest In Christian Gonzalez; K.J. Osborn Wants To Be Traded?
The Patriots have made one move on the trade front so far, and more could be coming. To little surprise, interest has been shown in several of the team’s players, although some are off limits at this point. 
Multiple teams have called about cornerback Christian Gonzalez, veteran insider Josina Anderson reports (video link). She adds New England’s top pick from last year is “not for sale,” which comes as little surprise. Attached to his rookie contract through at least 2026 (potentially 2027, if his fifth-year option were to be picked up), Gonzalez represents an obvious building block for the rebuilding franchise.
The former No. 17 selection was limited to just four games during his rookie season, but he has been healthy so far in 2024. Gonzalez has served as a full-time starter, collecting 37 tackles, one interception and four pass deflections. His coverage statistics (57.1% completion percentage, 77.4 passer rating allowed) are improved compared to last season, and expectations will remain high moving forward for him as a central figure in the team’s secondary.
Fellow cornerback Jonathan Jones is also set to remain in New England, but other positions are worth watching as the November 5 deadline approaches. Wide receiver is chief among them, and the team has been shopping Tyquan Thornton recently. The 24-year-old is on the books through 2024, but his limited production has left his trade value rather low. Veteran K.J. Osborn has a stronger resume, but as a pending free agent he too is unlikely to fetch considerable draft capital in a trade. The latter is nevertheless a strong candidate to be dealt in the coming days.
Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal said during a Friday appearance on WEEI that at least one receiver move should be expected, adding Osborn is the likeliest to be shipped out (video link). The free agent addition has seen his workload decrease considerably in recent weeks, leading to frustration being expressed. New England’s other wideout options (including rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker) could be in line for increased time in the event an Osborn deal – something which has previously been floated – were to be worked out.
Giardi adds the 27-year-old has stated a desire to be traded away to both the Patriots and the local media, making him one of several receivers worth watching closely. Osborn’s base salary for the season is only $1.18MM, so any number of buyers could absorb the remainder of that figure rather comfortably. He has posted just 57 yards and one touchdown on seven receptions to date, but prior to 2024 Osborn proved to be a solid depth complementary option in Minnesota. He could soon find himself aiming to replicate that role on a new team.
Patriots Could Pursue CB Depth
The Patriots’ cornerbacks corps is set to look a bit different in 2024. Myles Bryant, Jalen Mills, and J.C. Jackson accounted for 1,743 snaps last season but are no longer on the roster. The team can still feel comfortable atop their depth chart; Jonathan Jones returns after emerging as an outside CB in 2023, and the team will also welcome back 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez, who was limited to only four games as a rookie thanks to a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder.
However, the depth behind that duo remains questionable, and that could lead the Patriots to pursue some reinforcement. As Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes, the organization could be in the market for a cornerback if somebody “doesn’t emerge in the first couple weeks of camp.”
Volin is confident that the team has a temporary answer to replace Bryant in the slot, with former Bills draft pick Alex Austin having impressed the organization down the stretch last season. Otherwise, the team is eyeing some uninspiring options.
Shaun Wade started six of his 14 appearances last season, but the former Ravens fifth-round pick isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. Marcus Jones impressed on special teams as a rookie but only saw a part-time role on defense. Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to only two games in 2023, Jones will once again have to prove himself as a cornerback. The rest of the team’s depth includes the likes of sixth-round rookie Marcellas Dial and 2023 seventh-round pick Isaiah Bolden.
If the Patriots’ staff realizes they only have two or three capable CBs, the team could pivot to free agency. Volin specifially points to Jackson, who remains unsigned. The veteran was acquired by New England via trade in October, and he started six of his eight appearances during his second stint with the team.
Former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore remains unsigned, and the cornerback recently expressed interest in a reunion with the organization. Xavien Howard, Patrick Peterson, and Adoree’ Jackson are also still free agents, although there’s a chance the rebuilding squad just prefers to take a chance on an unproven talent.
Patriots Rumors: Godchaux, QBs, Gonzalez
The Patriots have a number of players on multi-year contracts who are heading into contract-years in 2024. One such player is veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who came to New England back in 2021. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Godchaux didn’t practice at all during last week’s mandatory minicamp amid desires for a new contract.
Godchaux’s initial deal in New England was a two-year, $15MM contract that he earned in free agency following the expiration of his rookie deal with the Dolphins. The following offseason, the Patriots helped Godchaux avoid a contract year, extending him on another two-year deal, this one worth $20.8MM.
Entering the final year of his current deal, Godchaux is set to earn a base salary of $7.15MM. He’ll have the opportunity to earn an additional $150K via workout bonus and an extra $58,823 in per game active roster bonuses (for a potential season total of $1MM). Additionally, Godchaux is set to represent an $11.8MM cap hit in 2024, the third-largest figure on the team’s roster.
If the Patriots are interested in retaining Godchaux past his age-30 season, it could behoove them to work with the veteran to reach a new deal in order to lessen his cap impact this season. That’s a big “if,” though. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Godchaux had the worst season of his career in 2023, grading out as the 102nd-best player at his position out of 130 graded interior defenders. He’s also now six years removed from his best season, in which he was the 39th-best interior defender.
New head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that Godchaux is only one of a “bunch of guys” who want to “redo contracts.” Other players who are entering contract years who may be a part of that group include Matt Judon, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones, Jabrill Peppers, Jahlani Tavai, Rhamondre Stevenson, Daniel Ekuale, and Raekwon McMillan.
Here are a couple of other rumors coming out of New England:
- In one of our recent breakdowns of the Patriots’ quarterback situation, we mentioned that the intention of the team was to narrow the field of competition down to three guys by the end of spring. Jeff Howe of The Athletic partially echoed that sentiment, stating that, “ideally, the Patriots hope to enter the meat of training camp with three quarterbacks.” With No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett likely cemented on the roster in either the QB1 or QB2 roles, that gives Bailey Zappe and rookie sixth-round pick Joe Milton quite a bit more time to earn the QB3 job. In an emergency situation, Zappe has experience starting from a backup role, but Milton has the potential to serve as a more versatile scout team quarterback at practices with more years on his current contract. Regardless, the deadline to wrap up their battle for the third-string role has been potentially extended to training camp.
- The Patriots’ first-round selection from last year, Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, saw his rookie season come to a terribly early end as he suffered a torn labrum that would sideline him after only four games. After undergoing shoulder surgery last season, Gonzalez was finally back on the field at the team’s minicamp. He claims to be “feeling good” coming off of a long recovery period, according to Reiss.