NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 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 the player’s position, initial draft placement and 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-highest 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
With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:
- QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM): Exercised
- QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM): Declined
- QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM): Declined
- TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM): Exercised
- WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
- WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): Exercised
- T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM): Exercised
- CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
- WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
- QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): Declined
- DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
- T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM): Exercised
- OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM): Exercised
- QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM): Declined
- LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM): Declined
- T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
- LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): Exercised
- LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
- WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM): Declined
- DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM): Exercised
- CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM): Declined
- T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM): Exercised
- RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Declined
- RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM): Exercised
- CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM): To be exercised
- WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): N/A; extended through 2026
- DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM): Declined
- CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM): Declined
- DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM): Exercised
- LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM): Exercised
- LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM): Declined
* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022
This has to be one of the worst QB classes of all time
Looks like one of the worst drafts period
There are some ugly misses in there and the QBs are a bloodbath, but there are a lot of very good players in there, including at least four elite players at high value positions. First rounds get a lot worse, like 2015.
Ya that’s on me I was just thinking of the pats draft didn’t pay attention to the list up there
I can see why that would stick with you.
I could be wrong but I think Sam Robinson just exceeded his asterick quota for the month.
17 Exercised, 3 Extended, 9 Declined, 1 Out, 2 Not Reported
20 of 32 or 62.5% were deemed worthy to get a guaranteed season and/or extended. I think that’s about the norm.
I agree this was a terrible QB group.