NFL fifth-year option tracker: 9 first-round picks from 2023 draft class have options declined

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NFL fifth-year option tracker: 9 first-round picks from 2023 draft class have options declined

Friday was the deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year contract options for the draft class of 2023. Some decisions were harder than others.

First-round draft picks sign four-year deals in the NFL, and teams have a fifth-year option on each for the 2027 season. These fifth-year options come with significant pay jumps designated by the collectively bargained rookie wage scale. The value of the options are based on a player’s position, performance and availability through the first three seasons of his contract.

For example, quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft, signed a four-year rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers valued at $38 million. Per Spotrac, the projected fifth-year option on his deal is valued at $25.9 million, more than double that of his $12.1 million salary from Year 4 of his contract.

Teams that exercise options maintain the ability to negotiate a long-term extension with players, and some already have. How teams handle the fifth-year option is generally a good indicator of a player’s success through his first three seasons.

Here’s how teams handled fifth-year options for each of the 31 2023 first-round picks. There was no 32nd first-round pick in the 2023 draft because the Dolphins forfeited their pick due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

Option projections courtesy of Spotrac

Bryce Young had his option picked up. Whether he gets an extension is yet to be determined.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

No. 1: Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

$25.9 million option exercised: General manager Dan Morgan said in January and again before the draft that the Panthers would pick up Young’s option before Friday’s deadline. The team followed through on that promise Wednesday, making the move official.

No. 2: C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

$25.9 million option reportedly exercised

No. 3: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Houston Texans

$21.5 million option exercised: The Texans also signed Anderson to a three-year, $150 million extension through the 2030 season that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL based on annual salary.

No. 4: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

$22.5 million option not exercised. The Colts are all-in on Daniel Jones, and Richardson is on the trade block.

No. 5: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks

$21.2 million option exercised

No. 6: Paris Johnson, OT, Arizona Cardinals

$19.7 million option exercised

No. 7: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, New Orleans Saints (drafted by Raiders)

$14.5 million option reportedly declined by Saints after trade

No. 8: Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

$11.3 million option exercised

No. 9: Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

$27.1 million option exercised

No. 10: Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears

$19.1 million option exercised

No. 11: Peter Skoronski, G, Tennessee Titans

$19.1 million option exercised

The Lions have reportedly made two critical decision on contract options, including Jahmyr Gibbs'. — The Lions have reportedly made two critical decision on contract options, including Jahmyr Gibbs’.
(Stephen Maturen via Getty Images)

No. 12: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

$14.3 million option reportedly exercised

No. 13: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Green Bay Packers

$14.5 million option reportedly exercised

No. 14: Broderick Jones, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers

$19.1 million option reportedly declined: Jones underwent spinal fusion surgery in December, and his long-term prognosis is unclear. The Steelers, meanwhile, spent first- and third-round picks in last week’s draft on offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and guard Gennings Dunker.

No. 15: Will McDonald, DE, New York Jets

$14.5 million option exercised

No. 16: Emmanuel Forbes Jr., CB, Los Angeles Rams (drafted by Commanders)

$12.6 million option reportedly declined

No. 17: Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

$18.1 million option reportedly exercised

No. 18: Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit Lions

$21.3 milllion option reportedly declined: Per reports, the price tag was considered too high by the Lions to exercise the option for an off-ball linebacker despite Campbell’s selection as an All-Pro last season.

No. 19: Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$14.5 million option exercised

No. 20: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

$23.8 million option exercised: Smith-Njigba also signed a four-year, $168.6 million extension through the 2031 season, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL based on annual salary.