If Sam Darnold wants to maximize how much money he can make once it comes time for the Jets to pick up his fifth-year option, he is going to have to take his game up a notch the next two seasons.
Under the old CBA, the monetary value of fifth-year options was based on draft position. That is no longer case, as the language of the new CBA states that fifth-year options are now fully guaranteed and based on performance for players drafted later than 2018.
Darnold falls into that category, meaning his fifth-year option will be based solely on in-game performance and not his third overall draft slot.
There is a chance Darnold’s fifth-year option language never comes into play for the Jets. If Darnold reaches his potential and performs at a new level the next two seasons, odds are New York will look to lock him up as it is currently doing with All-Pro safety Jamal Adams. However, if the Jets and Darnold cannot come to terms on a contract extension before the time to pick up his fifth-year option rolls around, he will still be in line to earn a hefty amount of money if his performance warrants it.
The new CBA language can also work against Darnold. If the USC product either keeps performing as he has been or regresses to the point where the Jets need further time to evaluate him, New York could elect to exercise the fifth-year option at a much cheaper rate than it would have cost when option salaries were based on draft position.
Fifth-year options now being based on performance incentivizes teams to get contract extensions done with their younger players before being forced to pay a more than desired amount on the option. It also affords teams the opportunity to keep players that have not quite come around yet at much cheaper salaries than previously before.
Which end of the spectrum Darnold falls under remains to be seen. Either way, the new CBA has a profound impact on his earning potential moving forward.