NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 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-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
We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class . With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:
- DE/OLB Travon Walker , Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson , Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
- CB Derek Stingley Jr. , Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Sauce Gardner , Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux , Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
- T Ikem Ekwonu , Panthers ($17.56MM)
- T Evan Neal , Giants ($16.69MM)
- WR Drake London , Falcons ($16.82MM)
- T Charles Cross , Seahawks ($17.56MM)
- WR Garrett Wilson , Jets ($16.82MM)
- WR Chris Olave , Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
- WR Jameson Williams , Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
- DT Jordan Davis , Eagles ($12.94MM)
- S Kyle Hamilton , Ravens ($18.6MM)
- G Kenyon Green , Eagles* ($16.69MM)
- WR Jahan Dotson , Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
- G Zion Johnson , Chargers ($17.56MM)
- WR Treylon Burks , Titans ($15.49MM)
- T Trevor Penning , Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
- QB Kenny Pickett , Browns*** ($22.12MM)
- CB Trent McDuffie , Chiefs ($17.6MM)
- LB Quay Walker , Packers ($14.75MM): Likely to be declined
- CB Kaiir Elam , Cowboys**** ($12.68MM)
- G Tyler Smith , Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
- C Tyler Linderbaum , Ravens ($20.99MM)
- DE Jermaine Johnson , Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
- LB Devin Lloyd , Jaguars ($14.75MM)
- DT Devonte Wyatt , Packers ($12.94MM)
- G Cole Strange , Patriots ($16.69MM)
- DE George Karlaftis , Chiefs ($15.12MM)
- DB Dax Hill , Bengals ($9.27MM)
- S Lewis Cine , Vikings: N/A
* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024
; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025