Tag: option

Dec 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) moves in to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) for a loss during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Colts guarantee edge rusher Kwity Paye $13.4M, pick up 2025 option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis exercised the fifth-year option in the contract of pass rusher Kwity Paye, guaranteeing the No. 21 pick in the 2021 draft a salary of $13.4 million in 2025.

Paye, 25, had his best year as a pro in 2023. He posted career highs with 8.5 sacks and 52 tackles. Paye had 10 total QB sacks in his first two seasons.

in 43 career games, all starts, Paye has 129 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss.

A defensive end at Michigan, Paye ranks 46th in the NFL in sacks (18.5) over the past three seasons.

Paye was drafted between wide receiver Kadarius Toney (Giants) and cornerback Caleb Farley (Titans) in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is carted off the field during the first half against Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Nov. 6, 2022.

Packers decline CB Eric Stokes’ fifth-year option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cornerback Eric Stokes can become a free agent in March after the Green Bay Packers declined the 2025 team option in his contract.

Drafted 29th out of Georgia in 2021, Stokes and the Packers could work out a contract extension before the current deal expires. But he’ll likely have some proving to do before general manager Brian Gutekunst floats new paperwork.

Picking up the fifth-year option would’ve been worth only $12.47 million, a relatively light guarantee because he failed to reach the required playing time threshold.

Stokes, identified last week as one of the players standing out in the offseason program by head coach Matt LaFleur, turned in a stellar rookie season in 2021. He played in 16 games, posting 55 tackles and an interception, but injuries limited him to 12 total games the past two seasons. He had surgery following right ankle and knee injuries in Nov. 22 and didn’t appear in a game until Oct. 22 last season.

He was activated from the physically unable to perform list before the October loss to the Broncos, but his return was short-lived because of a hamstring injury. Stokes didn’t suit up again until Dec. 17 and appeared in three regular-season games last season.

The deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options for 2021 first-rounders was Thursday.

–Field Level Media

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (15) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys decline $22.4M option on QB Trey Lance

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys declined the fifth-year team option that would have paid backup quarterback Trey Lance $22.4 million guaranteed in 2025.

Lance is the QB2 behind Dak Prescott, who enters the final season of a four-year contract that disqualifies the Cowboys from using the franchise tag to retain him next spring.

The Cowboys, who insist they will bring back Prescott with a new contract stretching beyond the upcoming season, acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers in August 2023 for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

Lance is not changing teams this summer but will switch numbers, claiming No. 19 and allowing returning running back Ezekiel Elliott to wear No. 15.

Dallas owed Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, a total of $6.5 million in salary and bonuses for two seasons (2023, 2024).

The designated starter for the 49ers in 2022, Lance fractured his ankle and set in motion the chain of events that led to then seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy taking over and engineering a playoff run to the NFC Championship Game.

Lance has appeared in eight games with four starts since being selected out of North Dakota State in a largely displaced QB draft class topped by Trevor Lawrence (first overall, Jaguars) and Zach Wilson (No. 2, Jets). Wilson was shipped to the Denver Broncos before the draft. Fellow ’21 first-rounders Justin Fields (11th, Bears) and Mac Jones (15th, Patriots) were also traded this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) rushes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bucs decline option on LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are declining the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, according to multiple reports.

As the 32nd and final pick of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft, he would have been guaranteed $13.2 million for the 2025 season if the Bucs had picked up his option.

Tryon-Shoyinka, who turned 25 on Tuesday, set career highs with five sacks and 45 tackles in 17 games (12 starts) last season.

He has recorded 13 sacks, 31 quarterback hits and 114 tackles while playing all 51 regular-season games (34 starts) since his arrival in Tampa.

Tryon-Shoyinka faces new competition for playing time in 2024. The Buccaneers signed veteran Randy Gregory and spent a second-round pick last week on Alabama’s Chris Braswell.

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bills picking up option on DE Greg Rousseau

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills are picking up the fifth-year option on defensive end Greg Rousseau, Fox Sports reported Monday.

NFL teams have until Thursday to exercise the 2025 options on their 2021 first-round draft picks.

Rousseau, the 30th overall selection in 2021, will earn a fully guaranteed salary of $13.387 million in 2025.

Rousseau, 24, registered five sacks, 18 quarterback hits and 42 tackles while starting 16 games last season.

His career totals include 17 sacks, 42 QB hits, 129 tackles and three forced fumbles in 46 games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs off the field between plays in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Bengals exercise 5th-year option on WR Ja’Marr Chase

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals picked up the fifth-year option on Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on Wednesday, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.

Chase is entering his fourth season and will make a base salary of $1.1 million. His base will balloon to at least $21.8 million in 2025 if a long-term extension hasn’t been reached by then.

Chase, 24, has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Selected No. 5 overall in the 2021 draft, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games, all starts. He hauled in a career-high 100 receptions in 2023, tied for the second most in a season in team history.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders not exercising Chase Young’s option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Commanders are not going to exercise the fifth-year option for defensive end Chase Young, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has played only 12 games in the past two seasons because of injuries.

The fifth-year contract option would have paid him a fully guaranteed $17.452 million for the 2024 season.

Barring a new long-term deal with the Commanders before then, Young will now become a free agent next March.

Young made the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with 7.5 sacks in 15 starts.

He tore the ACL and patellar tendon in his right knee in Week 10 of 2021, a season-ending injury that also knocked him out for most of 2022.

Young, who turned 24 this month, has recorded nine sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 75 tackles, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (26 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) lead their team out of the tunnel before action Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In dark about Aaron Rodgers, Packers learn cost of keeping Jordan Love

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While waiting for Aaron Rodgers to shed light on his future plans, the Green Bay Packers learned the cost of keeping backup Jordan Love on his fifth-year option.

On Wednesday, the league finalized rates for the fifth-year option available for NFL teams to retain 2020 first-round picks as an extension of their original four-year deals signed following the draft.

Love’s salary would be $20.27 million in 2024, which is based on the average of the third- through 25th-highest salaries among quarterbacks. Green Bay has until May 1 to pick up the option, but general manager Brian Gutekunst said he “wouldn’t say that’s a given.”

If the Packers pick up the option, the salary is fully guaranteed.

Gutekunst made it clear he’s waiting for Rodgers to inform the Packers of his intentions, much like the past two offseasons.

“You’re talking about a four-time MVP, right?” Gutekunst said. “So, we are very excited about Jordan and where he’s at, there’s no doubt about that. But Jordan’s never played a 16-, 17-game season and gone through all that stuff. So, it’s no different than when we moved from Brett (Favre) to Aaron. That’s a hard thing to say but, at the same time where Aaron’s at, the level he’s at, there’s not many teams he wouldn’t give the best chance to win.”

Among the variables the Packers are weighing is where Rodgers stands. He hasn’t decided to play in 2023, and could either opt to return, retire or request a trade.

Rodgers, 39, said Tuesday he’s headed for four days of planned darkness, a solo retreat away from light and noise he believes will promote clarity about his future.

If Rodgers decides to play in 2023 for the Packers, the likelihood of restructuring his contract is strong, he admitted last week.

Without a restructure, Rodgers’ current contract brings a 2024 cap hit of $40.70 million.

Love, 24, has completed 50 passes in two seasons with three touchdowns and three interceptions. The 26th pick in the 2020 draft, Love wasn’t well received by Rodgers, who felt the Packers were passive in communications and addressing his contract at the time.

–Field Level Media

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before an NFC wild-card game in January. Syndication Arizona Republic

Cardinals pick up fifth-year option ($29.7M) on Kyler Murray

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals picked up the fifth-year option of quarterback Kyler Murray’s rookie contract on Wednesday.

The move guarantees Murray $29.7 million in 2023.

It also allows the two sides more time to negotiate a long-term deal. Murray expressed unhappiness with his contract earlier this offseason.

Murray will make about $5.5 million in salary and roster bonuses in 2022.

Arizona general manager Steve Keim has been adamant that the club won’t be trading Murray. He recently termed odds of moving his quarterback as “zero chance.”

Murray, who turns 25 in August, recently indicated that he wants to win Super Bowls with the Cardinals.

Murray was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. He was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and a Pro Bowl selection in each of the past two seasons.

Murray passed for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and also rushed for 423 yards and five touchdowns last season.

He was in the league MVP conversation over the first half of the season as the Cardinals won their first seven games. But he injured an ankle on the final drive of a loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 and missed the next three games. His play wasn’t as stout after his return.

Murray made his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round and his performance wasn’t good. He completed 19 of 34 passes for only 137 yards and two interceptions in a 34-11 loss.

In three seasons, Murray has a 22-23-1 record as a starter. He has passed for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, while rushing for 1,786 yards and 20 scores in 46 starts.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Montez Sweat (90) and Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) in action during the game between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders picking up DE Montez Sweat’s option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders will pick up the fifth-year option for defensive end Montez Sweat, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

Sweat, 25, will be guaranteed a salary of $11.5 million for the 2023 season.

The 2019 first-round pick (26th overall) has collected 21 sacks and 46 quarterback hits in 42 career starts.

Sweat posted 24 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles in 10 starts last season. He missed five games on injured reserve with a broken jaw.

–Field Level Media