Picking up Pat Surtain’s 5th-year option should be an easy decision for Broncos

“That’s one of the easier decisions we’ll make,” Broncos GM George Paton said of the team’s upcoming decision on CB Pat Surtain.

As a player picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain is eligible to receive a fifth-year contract option for the 2025 season worth $19,802,000.

Denver will likely pick up the option, but the deadline is not until May 2, so there’s no rush.

“Yeah, we’ll look into it,” general manager George Paton said at the NFL combine in February. “We have a lot going on before that, we have free agency then we have the draft. Pat is going to be here.

“Obviously, we value Pat, and we’ll see where that goes. We’ll work on that. I would say it’s pretty close. That’s an easy one. That’s one of the easier decisions we’ll make.”

The Broncos are a bit busy at the moment with NFL free agency, and as Paton noted, the NFL draft will follow next month. Once the offseason frenzy starts to die down, picking up Surtain’s fifth-year option should be an easy decision for Denver.

Eventually, the Broncos will work on a long-term extension for Patrick, perhaps getting a deal done before the fifth-year option even kicks in. First things, first, though, Denver will likely secure the 2025 season by picking up his option before May 2.

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Tracking the 5th-year options on the 2020 NFL draft class

How many fifth-year options got picked up for the first-round class of the 2020 NFL draft?

Tuesday marked the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year contract options on the first-round picks from the draft class of 2020. All first-round picks get initial contracts for four seasons with a club option for a fifth year.

That fifth year is not a cheap one. Values are based on the average salary at a particular position, with additions to the base average according to playing time and Pro Bowl honors. Exercising the option guarantees the full salary for the player. They become unrestricted free agents after the conclusion of the fifth season, barring any extensions.

Picking up the option doesn’t mean the two sides can’t agree to a contract extension. Players can also be traded or cut, but the salary is guaranteed.

Baker Mayfield ‘truly thankful’ Browns picked up his 5th-year option

Baker Mayfield ‘truly thankful’ Browns picked up his 5th-year option

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is a happy camper these days. He’s sitting with a smile knowing he’s locked into playing in Cleveland for at least the next two seasons after the Browns picked up his fifth-year contract option late last week.

Mayfield spoke about the security and opportunity in a press conference Zoom session on Monday.

“It’s one of those things that’s not in my control,” Mayfield said. “But I’m truly thankful and grateful for them taking the chance, Andrew (Browns GM Berry) and the Haslam family for picking up that fifth-year option.”

Speaking on the third anniversary of the team drafting him No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL draft, Mayfield continued,

“Making it one more year in Cleveland and extending this journey that we started three years ago today … I’m very happy about that.”

Mayfield then addressed the idea of a possible long-term extension.

“In terms of long-term deals or anything like that, I’m taking it one day at a time. Still got two years and two seasons left on this full rookie contract now. We’ll see what happens.”

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Browns officially pick up 5th-year options on Myles Garrett and David Njoku

Browns officially pick up 5th-year options on Myles Garrett and David Njoku

It didn’t take long for the reports to become reality. On Monday, mere hours after reports circulated stating the Browns intended to pick up the 5th-year contract options on EDGE Myles Garrett and TE David Njoku, the team made it official.

The Browns exercised the contract options on both members of the 2017 NFL Draft first round still with the team. The third, Jabrill Peppers, was traded to the New York Giants last year.

Picking up the option keeps Garrett and Njoku under the Browns’ contractual control through at least the 2021 season. The players would have been free agents after the 2020 season otherwise.

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