2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

• Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
• One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
• Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
  • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
  • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
  • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
• Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM)
7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM)
8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM)
9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM)
10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM)
11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM)
14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM)
15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM)
16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM)
18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM)
19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM)
21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM)
22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Likely to be declined
23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM)
24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM)
26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM)
28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM)
29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM)
30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM)
31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($9.27MM)
32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025