Tag: Fifth-Year Option

Will the Jaguars pick up Josh Allen’s fifth-year option?

The Jags have until May 3 to decide whether to pick up Allen’s option.

Some draft analysts had Josh Allen as the best prospect available in the 2019 class when he was coming out of Kentucky, and it was viewed as a steal when the talented edge rusher fell to Jacksonville with the No. 7 pick.

His rookie season certainly backed up that evaluation, as he burst onto the scene with 10.5 sacks. Injuries limited him to just eight games and 2.5 quarterback takedowns in Year 2, but he appeared in all but one game this season and was one of the team’s few bright spots. His sack total was 7.5, but he stepped up against the run with a career-high 71 tackles (including 12 for loss).

Now, it’s decision time. As Allen is poised to enter his fourth season, the team only has until May 3 to make a decision on whether it will pick up his fifth-year team option. Since joining the team, he’s gone to the Pro Bowl once (in 2019 as a rookie and alternate) and has been a Jags team captain from 2020-21, which clearly is a reflection of how his teammates view him. Per Over the Cap, his fifth-year option would cost the Jags $10.2 million, which may not be that steep for a team that has the cap space that the Jags have (at least for now).

While crazier things have happened, it seems almost certain that the team will look to pick up that option. He has been very productive when healthy, and this team has so few promising defensive players to build around. The Jaguars will likely look to hand Allen a long-term deal next season, let alone extend his contract to a fifth year, and he should be around in Jacksonville for a while, if he chooses to.

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WR Calvin Ridley’s fifth-year option picked up by Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons waited until the last possible day to decide whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options for Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst.

The Atlanta Falcons waited until the last possible day to decide whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options for Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst. On Monday morning, it was reported that the team had declined Hurst’s option. Then roughly an hour later, Atlanta picked up Ridley’s option.

Ridley’s 2021 option of $11.1 million is more than double what Hurst’s would have costed at $5.4 million. However, Ridley is a significantly more accomplished player and coming off of his first Pro Bowl in 2020. He caught a career-high 90 catches for 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns — leading the team in all three categories.

Hurst is also coming off a career-best season, recording 56 catches, 571 yards, 6 TDs, but will be a free agent in 2022.

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Report: Cowboys expected to decline option on Vander Esch; Quinn anticipates ‘competition’ for LBs

New additions and a history of injuries may turn 2021 into a contract year for Vander Esch; his DC wants ‘competition’ among his LBs.

Two days after the 2021 NFL draft wrapped up with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves, once again, on the clock.

Or at least as far as Leighton Vander Esch is concerned.

The team has until 3 p.m. (Dallas time) to exercise the fifth-year option of the linebacker’s rookie deal. If they do, the 25-year-old Boise State product is guaranteed to make $9.145 million with the club in 2022. If they don’t, Vander Esch becomes an unrestricted free agent next March.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys fans should expect the team to stand pat, letting the Wolf Hunter play out 2021 as a contract year.

“We’ve been so focused on the draft,” chief operating officer Stephen Jones told reporters on Saturday, “We’ll obviously get our hands around that in short order.”

Short order is here. But the writing may have already been on the wall, given some of the club’s recent choices.

With their first-round draft pick on Thursday night, Dallas opted to claim Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Perhaps the selection wasn’t a huge surprise, especially since the two top cornerbacks had just come off the board. Given the team’s dreadful defense in 2020 and last week’s retirement of two-time Pro Bowler Sean Lee, taking the player many deemed the best defensive player in the draft neatly filled a newly-created hole in the roster.

But then the Cowboys also drafted LSU’s Jabril Cox early in the fourth round on Saturday. And suddenly, there are more linebackers in the locker room than there would seem to be long-term room for.

Parsons and Cox were among the players Cowboys Wire suggested “could have an impact” on the front office’s Vander Esch decision… and now the team has both of them.

And all of that’s not even counting Keanu Neal. The former Falcon went to the 2017 Pro Bowl as a safety, but now that he’s been reunited with his former coach Dan Quinn, plans are for him to move to linebacker, further muddying the mix for Vander Esch.

“He will be a linebacker,” Quinn told the media Friday in his first press conference as Cowboys defensive coordinator.

“A player I’ve known for a long time,” Quinn said of Neal. “Adding somebody of his speed and his physicality onto our defense, that’s something that we need.”

Vander Esch himself brought a good deal of speed and physicality to the field starting in his first season. An opening-round choice in 2018, the former college walk-on enjoyed a transcendent rookie campaign that resulted in a Pro Bowl nod, second-team All-Pro honors, and an immediate place in the hearts and minds of Cowboys fans as “The Wolf Hunter.”

But injuries have seriously hampered Vander Esch’s career since, causing him to miss 13 games over the past two seasons. Not long ago, he and fellow linebacker Jaylon Smith made up the top-ranked linebacker tandem in the league. By the end of 2020, though, both were seen by many as liabilities: Smith for his erratic and often lackadaisical play, and Vander Esch for his inability to stay on the field.

Vander Esch and Smith will nonetheless play a major role in Quinn’s defense in 2021.

“Both these guys are really getting after it and putting in work to have a fantastic year,” Quinn said.

But he acknowledges that the addition of Neal, Parsons, and Cox to the group signals that nothing is guaranteed.

“Let’s get out and work together,” Quinn offered as an offseason philosophy. “There’ll be some competition where we’re going. But one thing I do know: both these guys are really good players. And as opposed to, ‘Where are they going to go?’ it’s like, ‘How awesome is that that we’ve got more speed, more length, more run-and-hit players?’ As a coach, I couldn’t be more pumped for that.”

For now, anyway, Quinn relishes the notion of having lots of mix-and-match parts to his Cowboys linebacker machine.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the different packages and how we’ll feature the guys. It’ll take us a while to figure it all out.”

But Leighton Vander Esch may not have much of a while to figure out how to extend his tenure with the Cowboys. After having to prove himself as a rookie just three years ago, it appears he’ll have to do it all over again in 2020.

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Falcons decline TE Hayden Hurst’s fifth-year option

Despite a career year in 2020, the Falcons are likely moving on from tight end Hayden Hurst after the 2021 season.

Despite a career year in 2020, the Falcons are likely moving on from tight end Hayden Hurst after the 2021 season. Not only did the team select Florida’s explosive TE/WR Kyle Pitts in the first round of the draft, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons will pass on picking up Hurst’s fifth-year option for 2022.

Hurst was acquired by Atlanta in a trade with Baltimore, sending a second-round pick to the Ravens after Austin Hooper left for the Browns in free agency. While Hurst wouldn’t make a Pro Bowl last season, he recorded career bests in catches (56), receiving yards (571) and touchdowns (six).

You might be wondering why the Falcons wouldn’t pick up Hurst’s fifth-year option considering it’s would only cost Atlanta $5.4 million in 2022 — roughly half of what it will cost to pick up Calvin Ridley’s option. However, drafting Pitts on Thursday would mean the team is paying a good chunk of change to what would be a backup tight end.

I’m sure Falcons head coach Arthur Smith would have preferred to keep Hurst, but even a team that has cap room — which Atlanta does not — would struggle to pay a backup tight end over $5 million.

Hurst may be entering his final season with the Falcons, but he should still play a pivotal role this year as Smith likes to run two-tight end sets in his play-action heavy scheme he’s bringing over from Tennessee.

Today is the deadline for fifth-year options, but there’s still no word on Ridley. Expect the team to pick up their budding start at receiver or potentially work out a long-term deal.

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Packers exercise fifth-year option on All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander

The fifth-year option was exercised on Packers CB Jaire Alexander.

A formality is now official.

The Green Bay Packers exercised the fifth-year option on cornerback Jaire Alexander, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

The option is worth just under $13.3 million in 2022. Alexander, 24, will earn a base salary of $2.1 million in 2021.

The 18th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Alexander has ascended to the elite tier of NFL cornerbacks over his first three seasons. He was named a second-team All-Pro and first-time Pro Bowler in 2020.

Alexander was the highest-graded cornerback at Pro Football Focus last season.

The option ensures Alexander is under contract with the Packers for at least the next two seasons. The Packers could approach Alexander about a long-term extension at some point before or during the 2022 season.

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Panthers picking up fifth-year option for WR D.J. Moore

The Carolina Panthers will exercise wide receiver D.J. Moore’s fifth-year option, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN.

The Carolina Panthers will exercise wide receiver D.J. Moore’s fifth-year option, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN. Picking up Moore’s option was a no-brainer as far as these things go. Doing so will cost the Panthers $11.116 million in 2022.

While Moore’s game is still somewhat raw after three seasons in the NFL, he’s improved every year and his production has been impressive despite dealing with some poor play and major injuries at quarterback. In 46 games, Moore has posted 208 catches, 3,156 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Carolina has one other player currently on the roster with an eligible fifth-year option: quarterback Sam Darnold. The team has until May 3 to make their decision. That call likely hinges on whether or not they pick a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft tonight.

If he’s still there when the Panthers are on the clock, we expect Ohio State’s Justin Fields will be the pick.

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Bears exercise fifth-year option on LB Roquan Smith

The Bears made one of the easiest decisions of the offseason in choosing to exercise LB Roquan Smith’s fifth-year option.

The Chicago Bears made one of the easiest decisions of the offseason on Tuesday, picking up the fifth-year option on linebacker Roquan Smith, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. The move keeps Smith under contract through the 2022 season.

Smith was drafted with the eight overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and has become one of the best young linebackers in football. After ending his 2019 season prematurely due to a torn pectoral, Smith took his game to the next level in 2020.

He finished with 139 total tackles, 98 of which were solo, along with four sacks and two interceptions. He was named second-team All-Pro at the end of the season.

The 22-year old playmaker is set to make $9.735 million in 2022. Unlike in previous years when teams could rescind the option, his salary is fully guaranteed.

Smith is the second player drafted by general manager Ryan Pace to have his option picked up. The Bears also exercised linebacker Leonard Floyd’s option in 2019, but rescinded it last offseason.

NFL teams have until May 3 to exercise their fifth-year options.

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Kyler Murray’s fifth year option in 2023 could exceed $23 million

Kyler Murray could see more than $23 million on his fifth-year option.

The fifth-year option numbers were recently released for the rookies of the 2018 NFL draft. Current Cleveland Brown and former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield is set to earn over $18 million if his option is picked up. That number will impact the 2022 season as Mayfield is going into his fourth year. Cardinals Wire recently looked at what those numbers could be Kyler Murray in 2023.

The Arizona Cardinals know they have a two-year window in which they have quarterback Kyler Murray on a rookie contract. His cap hit, even as a former No. 1 pick, is a manageable $9.7 million in 2021.

Knowing that, the Cardinals have been aggressive in adding talent around him to try and win a championship before Murray will become very expensive.

Even the fifth-year option in 2023 will be pricey.

Cardinals Wire provided these bullet points on the potential contract for Murray.

  • He would make more than $16.5 million no matter what.
  • If he hits the playing time requirement (he will and probably already has), he would make more than $18.5 million.
  • For making one Pro Bowl, which Murray has done, that salary goes up to a little more than $23.0 million.
  • For multiple Pro Bowls, it would be more than $25.1 million.

Provided that Murray is selected to yet another Pro Bowl, he could see that number go north of $25.1 million.

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NFL sets figure for fifth-year option on Frank Ragnow, other 2018 first-round picks

Ragnow would get over $12.6M if he plays under the option in 2022

Among the dizzying flurry of items the front office must attack in the coming days and weeks, the fifth-year option on Frank Ragnow and his rookie contract isn’t the most pressing. But the Lions do have to make the decision before the May 3rd deadline, and the NFL provided the financial details of what the option value will be earlier this week.

All first-round picks come with standard four-year contracts but also a club option for a fifth season. The value of that fifth year depends on performance and position, and that value changes from year to year.

The published values for the fifth-year options for the first-round draft class of 2018:

Ragnow’s contract option will cost the Lions $12.657 million. The center qualifies for the top value at offensive line because he has made one Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. Players who make two or more Pro Bowls will earn the franchise tag value at their positions; three from this draft class — Colts OG Quenton Nelson, Bills LB Tremaine Edmonds and Steelers DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (drafted by Miami) earn that distinction.

The Lions and Ragnow could work out a contract extension that would supersede the option, of course. Exercising the option simply buys an extra season of fixed cost and services, it doesn’t lock Ragnow or the Lions into paying that option if they can agree to a different, long-term deal. The fifth-year option value often offers a good estimate for the yearly value of a new contract, too.

While it’s impossible to know what the new Lions regime will choose to do, it’s unfathomable that they won’t lock down Ragnow for a least his fifth-year option. He’s arguably the most talented player on the entire team.

News: Aikman thinks directionless Cowboys now capable of playoff run

Also, looking at Dallas’s playoff chances and possible opponents, what sparked the defense’s turnaround, and key injury updates.

Plenty of news in Cowboys Nation as the team prepares to close out the 2020 regular season with an early-2021 date in New York. Dallas can still make the postseason with a win and help, although their chances of going on to compete for the Lombardi Trophy are statistically infinitesimal. But even one of the franchise’s all-time legends agrees there is hope, and that’s something that seemed lost just a few weeks ago.

The Giants know the Cowboys are different bunch now, and their head coach breaks down the ways. A seemingly healthy Ezekiel Elliott could be looking at another 1,000-yard season, and some are already looking ahead to the Cowboys’ possible opponent in a wild-card round. Whatever happens, there will be decisions to be made: about fifth-year options on rookie contracts, about Andy Dalton’s future, about Mike Nolan and the Dallas defense that has only just recently come alive… and about the franchise tag of one Rayne Dakota Prescott. All that, and a Cowboys legend blows out the candles on another birthday cake. Here’s the News and Notes.