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The window to begin exercising fifth-year options for players from the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft class began closes on May 1st.
This season, as in most seasons, there is some intrigue as to who will and who won’t have their fifth-year option picked up. The Lions’ CB Jeff Okudah, Cardinals’ ILB Jeffery Simmons, Jaguars CB C.J. Henderson, Jets’ OT Mekhi Becton, Dolphins OT Austin Jackson, Jaguars LB K’Lavon Chaisson, Vikings WR Jalen Reagor, Dolphins CB Noaj Igbinoghene, and Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire are all players who could end up not having their option exercised.
The rules have changed a bit since the last collective bargaining agreement, as of player’s fourth- and fifth-year base salary becomes fully guaranteed once their fifth-year option is picked up. In the past, teams could still release players before locking in those base salaries. Playing time and Pro Bowl nods can also help a player see more money tacked onto their base salary if their option is picked up.
There are of course plenty of players who will either get their fifth year option exercised or even get contract extensions before then. Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Justin Jefferson are at the top of their games and will get paid to be sure.
One player who has already gotten his fifth-year option picked up is Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. There is of course some worry about the concussions that ended his 2022 season, but his play on the field was strong and he fit well with Mike McDaniel’s offense. Miami will take on that risk when they pay their QB over $25 million in 2024 if they don’t give him a contract extension before then.
5/2 UPDATE:
The Jets are not exercising OT Mekhi Becton’s 5th-year option.
Source: #Jets are declining Mekhi Becton’s fifth-year option.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 2, 2023
Becton is down to 344 pounds and plans to have a resurgent contract year. pic.twitter.com/J7bYdrYr88
The Chiefs have declined to pick up RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 5th-year option, per Matt Derrick. This isn’t surprising as he slipped down the depth chart last season.
The Packers have signed Jordan Love to an extension in lieu of his 5th-year option.
The #Packers have agreed to terms with QB Jordan Love on a new contract though 2024, per sources. pic.twitter.com/gde0DZKHXn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 2, 2023
5/1 UPDATE:
With the fifth-year option deadline tomorrow, worth noting: New #Falcons CB Jeff Okudah is not eligible for it. When the #Lions agreed to pay $1.5M of his 2023 salary to facilitate the trade, his option was off the table. He has 1 year and $3.682M deal left with ATL.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2023
The Ravens will not pick up LB Patrick Queen’s 5th-year option.
The Broncos exercised WR Jerry Jeudy’s 5th year option, while the Jaguars didn’t exercise DE K’Lavon Chaisson’s option, but did exercise DT Derrick Brown’s.
The #Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for DT Derrick Brown, but declined the option for CB CJ Henderson (who they acquired in a trade with the #Jaguars).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2023
5/1 UPDATE: The Browns are picking up LT Jedrick Wills’ 5th year option, per Jeremy Fowler. The Buccaneers are picking up RT Tristan Wirfs’ 5th year option. The 49ers will not pick up DT Javon Kinlaw’s option. The Chargers will not pick up LB Kenneth Murray’s option.
4/28 UPDATE: Justin Herbert, A.J. Terrell and Brandon Aiyuk have all had their fifth-year options picked up.
4/26 UPDATE: The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chase Young, will not have his 5th-year option exercised. Injuries have kept Young off the field, which likely has pushed them to make this decision.
4/25 UPDATE: Justin Jefferson, Joe Burrow and CeeDee Lamb all have had their 5th-year option picked up. We can expect them to get contract extensions before they have to play on that option, but nothing is set in stone.
NFL fifth-year option tracker
5th year option tracker for 2020 draft class
| 2020 pick | Name | Team | POS | 5th yr option | Exercised | Not exercised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 pick | Name | Team | POS | 5th yr option | Exercised | Not exercised |
| 1 | Joe Burrow | Bengals | QB | $29,504,000 | X | |
| 2 | Chase Young | Commanders | EDGE (DE) | $17,452,000 | X | |
| 3 | Jeff Okudah | Lions | CB | $14,362,000 | not eligible | |
| 4 | Andrew Thomas | Giants | LT (OL) | $21,172,000 | X | |
| 5 | Tua Tagovailoa | Dolphins | QB | $25,382,000 | X | |
| 6 | Justin Herbert | Chargers | QB | $29,504,000 | X | |
| 7 | Derrick Brown | Panthers | IDL (DT) | $13,192,000 | X | |
| 8 | Isaiah Simmons | Cardinals | LB | $11,369,000 | X | |
| 9 | C.J. Henderson | Panthers | CB | $14,362,000 | X | |
| 10 | Jedrick Wills | Browns | LT (OL) | $21,172,000 | X | |
| 11 | Mekhi Becton | Jets | RT (OL) | $20,239,000 | X | |
| 13 | Tristan Wirfs | Buccaneers | RT (OL) | $18,244,000 | X | |
| 14 | Javon Kinlaw | 49ers | IDL (DT) | $12,245,000 | X | |
| 15 | Jerry Jeudy | Broncos | WR | $19,071,000 | X | |
| 16 | A.J. Terrell | Falcons | CB | $15,724,000 | X | |
| 17 | CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | WR | $17,991,000 | X | |
| 18 | Austin Jackson | Dolphins | RT (OL) | $21,172,000 | X | |
| 20 | K'Lavon Chaisson | Jaguars | EDGE (DE) | $7,114,000 | X | |
| 21 | Jalen Reagor | Vikings | WR | $19,071,000 | X | |
| 22 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | WR | $19,743,000 | X | |
| 23 | Kenneth Murray | Chargers | LB | $9,954,000 | X | |
| 24 | Cesar Ruiz | Saints | RG (OL) | $21,172,000 | X | |
| 25 | Brandon Aiyuk | 49ers | WR | $20,639,000 | X | |
| 26 | Jordan Love | Packers | QB | $21,770,000 | signed extension | |
| 27 | Jordyn Brooks | Seahawks | LB | $11,369,000 | X | |
| 28 | Patrick Queen | Ravens | LB | $11,369,000 | X | |
| 30 | Noah Igbinoghene | Dolphins | CB | $14,362,000 | X | |
| 32 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Chiefs | RB | $7,525,000 | X |