Tag: options

Lions linebacker Jack Campbell practices during minicamp at Allen Park.

Report: Lions decline LB Jack Campbell’s fifth-year option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Lions reportedly made a split decision with their 2023 first-round draft selections, picking up running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ fifth-year option but not All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell’s.

Fox 2 Detroit broke the news Tuesday night and a source confirmed the information to ESPN.

Gibbs will earn a guaranteed $14.29 million for the 2027 season. Campbell’s option would have paid him an estimated $21.925 million, which is more than the league’s highest-paid off-ball linebacker, per ESPN.

ESPN reported that the Lions want to bring Campbell back on a long-term extension, as well as Gibbs. Tight end Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, also are due for extensions. Since they were not first-round picks, the Lions do not need to sign them to extensions immediately.

Gibbs, 24, made the decision a no-brainer by racking up 5,029 yards from scrimmage with 49 touchdowns in 49 games (24 starts) across his first three seasons, earning three straight Pro Bowl selections.

Campbell, 25, earned All-Pro first-team and Pro Bowl honors last season with career highs in tackles (176), sacks (five) and forced fumbles (three) in 17 starts. He has 402 tackles and 8.5 sacks through 51 games (46 starts).

The Lions took Gibbs with the 12th overall pick and Campbell with the 18th selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Apr 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; From left to right, Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (left), second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr., third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pose for a photo at a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Reports: Texans exercise options for CJ Stroud, Will Anderson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans exercised the fifth-year options for quarterback CJ Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson, multiple outlets reported on Wednesday.

The options will pay Stroud $25.904 million and Anderson $21.512 million in 2027. They were the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft by Houston, respectively.

The Texans had until May 1 to pick up the options. Reports out of Houston said the move is a precursor to a long-term extension for the All-Pro Anderson, while the team plans to evaluate how Stroud performs this season.

Stroud, 24, has compiled a 28-18 record with three trips to the playoffs in his first three seasons as the starter. The 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has completed 63.8% of his passes for 10,876 yards with 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 46 starts. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2023.

Anderson, 24, has tallied 30 sacks, 64 quarterback hits, 136 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games (44 starts). The 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025 and earned All-Pro first-team honors in 2025.

–Field Level Media

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

The New York Jets' first-round picks Jermaine Johnson, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and Garrett Wilson are introduced at a press conference. Syndication The Record

Jets pick up options for three 2022 first-round picks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets are picking up the fifth-year options on all three of their 2022 first-round draft picks, general manager Darren Mougey said Monday.

The fully guaranteed 2026 options are worth $20.1 million for cornerback Sauce Gardner (fourth overall pick), $16.8 million for wide receiver Garrett Wilson (10th) and $13.4 million for linebacker Jermaine Johnson (26th).

Gardner, 24, has earned two Pro Bowl and two All-Pro first-team selections and was the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has recorded three interceptions, 40 passes defensed and 181 tackles in 48 games (all starts).

Wilson, 24, has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons and was the NFL’s 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has collected 279 catches for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns in 51 games (46 starts).

Johnson, 26, made the Pro Bowl in 2023 but missed the final 15 games last season with a torn Achilles tendon. He has 10 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, one interception and one fumble recovery in 33 games (19 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) hands off to running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jags picking up options for Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars will exercise the fifth-year options for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne.

General manager Trent Baalke confirmed the widely anticipated moves on Saturday for the pair of 2021 first-round draft picks.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in that draft, will earn a guaranteed $25.7 million in 2025 and his former Clemson teammate Etienne (25th pick) is due $6.1 million on his option.

Lawrence, 24, made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and is 20-30 as a starter, passing for 11,770 yards with 58 touchdowns and 39 interceptions through three seasons. He has rushed for 964 yards and 11 scores.

Etienne, 25, missed his 2021 rookie season with a foot injury but has since posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He has gained 2,925 yards from scrimmage with 17 TDs in 34 games (29 starts).

–Field Level Media

Feb 7, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Images of Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (18) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) at the Symphony Hall, the site of NFL Honors. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson have 5th-year options picked up

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two teams on Tuesday made the perfunctory move of picking up the fifth-year options of two of the league’s biggest stars, a precursor to what will be mega-contracts for the duo.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson are now under contract through the 2024 season.

Barring long-term extensions before then, Burrow will make $29.5 million and Jefferson $19.743 million guaranteed in the 2024 season.

“This is a mechanical step along the way and we will continue to work with Joe and his representatives to secure his long-term future as a Bengals,” the Bengals said in a statement.

Burrow’s new benchmark came in the form of Jalen Hurts’ $255 million extension last week that, at least temporarily, made Hurts the highest-paid player in NFL history.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2020, Burrow has thrown for 11,774 yards and 82 touchdowns in 42 career starts. His rookie season was cut short by a devastating knee injury, but he’s led the Bengals to the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship Game the past two seasons.

Jefferson, 23, the No. 22 overall pick in 2020, has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons. He has racked up 324 career catches for 4,825 yards and 25 TDs in 50 games (48 starts). He was also named to his first All-Pro team in 2022.

Davante Adams is currently the highest-paid WR in the league by contract value at $140 million. Tyreek Hill is No. 1 with $30 million in average annual value.

2020 NFL Draft classmates Tua Tagovailoa, CeeDee Lamb and Tristan Wirfs have already had their options picked up.

The deadline to pick up fifth-year options is May 2.

–Field Level Media