Tag: fifth-year options

Quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) did not have his 2026 option exercised by the Browns on Thursday. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fifth-year options: Browns pass on commitment to Kenny Pickett

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Deadline day for teams to exercise the fifth-year option clause in contracts of 2022 first-round picks provided clarity for multiple players who’ve changed teams since they turned pro on Thursday.

Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett, set to play for his third team in 13 months, will not have his fifth-year option worth $22.117 million for the 2026 season picked up by Cleveland. Barring a new contract, Pickett would become a free agent in March 2026.

He’s owed $2.62 million in 2025 as part of an overcrowded depth chart. The Browns added veteran free agent Joe Flacco and drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders since acquiring Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles. An injured Deshaun Watson also remains on the roster.

Pickett was the 20th overall pick in 2022 and spent the first two seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

–Eagles not exercising options on WR Jahan Dotson, OG Kenyon Green

The Philadelphia Eagles opted not to pick up fifth-year options for the 2026 season for wide receiver Jahan Doston and guard Kenyon Green.

Both players were acquired via trade.

Green, the 15th pick in the 2022 draft by the Texans, was acquired from Houston on March 11 with the Eagles sending safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in return.

Dotson, the No. 16 selection by the Washington Commanders, was acquired during training camp last summer in a trade involving draft picks. He was seventh on the team with 19 receptions in 2024.

The Eagles did not have to make a decision on picking up the option year in Lewis Cine’s contract. The 32nd pick of the Vikings was released by Minnesota before the start of the 2024 season and joined the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chiefs pick up options for Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs are picking up the options for 2022 first-round picks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, ESPN reported Tuesday.

McDuffie, 24, was drafted 21st overall and now is in line to earn $13.632 million in 2026. The All-Pro cornerback has started 43 games, recording two interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks and 183 tackles.

Karlaftis, 24, was the No. 30 pick and is set to earn $15.196 million in 2026. The defensive end has recorded 24.5 sacks, 56 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries and 115 tackles in 49 games (44 starts).

The two defensive pillars helped the Chiefs win Super Bowls LVII and LVIII before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles last season in Super Bowl LIX.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) talks to principal owner and chair Sheila Ford Hamp, right, and her husband Steve Hamp before the game between Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Lions exercise options on Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions exercised their fifth-year options on defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and wide receiver Jameson Williams on Friday.

Also on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option on offensive tackle Tyler Smith.

Hutchinson, the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, is in line to pocket $19.872 million, while Williams is set to take home $15.493 million. The wideout was selected by the Lions with the 12th overall pick of the same draft.

Hutchinson, 24, has provided a massive presence on defense in Detroit while also earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2023.

He recorded 28.5 sacks in 39 games (all starts) before sustaining a fractured tibia and fibula in the third quarter of a 47-9 road victory against the Cowboys on Oct. 13.

Williams, 24, hauled in 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) in 2024. He has 10 touchdowns in 33 career games (21 starts).

Smith, 24, will receive $23.4 million in 2026. He has started all 47 games in which he has played and been selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his first three years since being selected by the Cowboys with the 24th pick in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Saints pick up option for Chris Olave, not Trevor Penning

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints are picking up the fifth-year option for wideout Chris Olave but not for their other 2022 first-round pick, offensive tackle Trevor Penning.

General manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the moves during Wednesday’s pre-draft press conference and also provided an update on quarterback Derek Carr’s health.

“He does have an issue with his shoulder,” Loomis said. “We’re hoping to get some resolution and some clarity on that in the near future. And when we do, I’ll report back to you. Otherwise, I don’t have anything more on Derek.”

Carr, 34, has not been seen around the team facility since news of his shoulder injury broke on April 11, three days before the start of voluntary offseason workouts.

The Saints selected Olave with the 11th overall pick and Penning with the 19th in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Olave, 24, began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons before missing nine games in 2024 with multiple concussions. He has 191 catches for 2,565 yards and 10 touchdowns in 39 games (28 starts).

Olave will earn $15.49 million in 2026 under the fifth-year option.

Penning, who turns 26 next month, started all 17 games last season and has started 23 of 40 games overall.

With the Saints declining his $16.69 million option for 2026, Penning will play the final season of his rookie deal in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17).

Fins to pick up options for Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins will pick up the fifth-year options on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.

General manager Chris Grier confirmed Tuesday that the team will make it happen before the May 2 deadline.

The Dolphins drafted both in the first round in 2021, selecting Waddle with the No. 6 pick and Phillips at No. 18.

Waddle will earn $15.59 million and Phillips will earn $13.25 million, with both 2025 salaries fully guaranteed.

Waddle, 25, posted his third straight 1,000-yard season to begin his career in 2023, catching 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 14 starts. He has 251 career receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 scores in 47 games (all starts).

Phillips, 24, recorded 6.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 43 tackles in eight games (six starts) last season. He has 22 sacks, 52 QB hits, 146 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception in 42 career games (26 starts).

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. Mjs Packers04 10 Jpg Packers04

Reports: Packers pick up options on Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers are exercising the fifth-year options on linebacker Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage, ESPN reported on Friday.

Gary will pocket $10.892 million during the 2023 season per Spotrac, while Savage is set to receive $7.901 million in his option year.

The 24-year-old Gary recorded 9.5 sacks to go along with 47 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 16 games (all starts) last season.

Gary has totaled 16.5 sacks and 103 tackles over 47 career games (20 starts) since being selected by the Packers with the 12th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Savage, 24, has started all 46 games in which he has played since being chosen by Green Bay with the 21st overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He had 63 tackles to go along with two interceptions in 17 games last season.

Savage has 193 tackles, eight interceptions and two forced fumbles in his career with the Packers.

–Field Level Media