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, Raiders ($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): To be 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