NFL Analysis
2/13/24
4 min read
5 Most Difficult 5th-Year Options Decisions from 2021 NFL Draft
All players selected in the first round sign four-year contracts with a team option for a fifth season. After the player finishes his third year in the league, teams must decide whether to exercise that option.
There are some obvious, no-brainers from the 2021 NFL Draft, like Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons, but there are more complicated choices. Some players whose decisions will come down to the final week. The deadline to make a decision is Thursday, May 2.
Keep in mind that the fifth-year option is fully guaranteed once exercised (previously, it was only guaranteed for injury).
Let’s take a look at some of the tougher decisions to make.
>>READ: Top 100 NFL Free Agents for 2024
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears5th Year Option Total: $21,978,000
Justin Fields will be a major topic of discussion this entire offseason, with Chicago holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s hard to imagine his option getting declined simply because he’s either going to be in Chicago and they’re committing to him, or he’s getting traded and another team would be committing to him.
The last time a quarterback was traded with a fifth-year option yet to be decided was when the Jets traded Sam Darnold to Carolina for second-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks. Carolina picked up Darnold’s option for $18.9 million.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers5th Year Option Total: $6,660,000
Najee Harris has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in all three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that likely has more to do with the amount of carries he gets.
He’s averaged a mere 3.9 yards per carry in his career. The running back market has been a struggle in recent years, and the $6.66 million it would take to pick up his option would make him one of the 10 highest-paid backs in the NFL.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons5th Year Option Total: $10,564,000
Kyle Pitts had 1,000-plus yards as a rookie then followed that up with two underperforming years. Most of the blame is placed on his usage. So with a new coaching staff, perhaps he’ll finally flash his full potential.
The $10.56 million number is high for where the tight end market is, but the number is considerably low for a player of Pitts’ caliber at receiver. The wide receiver option would've been $19,398,000.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, New York Jets
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, New York Jets5th Year Option Total: $15,406,000
Alijah Vera-Tucker has been excellent for the New York Jets whenever he’s healthy, playing every position on the offensive line except center. His issue is staying healthy. He’s played in just 12 games during the last two seasons.
He tore his triceps in 2022 and tore his Achilles this past season. Finding great offensive linemen is difficult, and I’d guess the Jets will likely take on the injury risk with Vera-Tucker.
Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Baltimore Ravens
Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Baltimore Ravens5th Year Option Total: $12,175,000
Odafe Oweh recorded five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 13 games this past season. He has steadily improved year-to-year but has yet to break out. Should Baltimore believe his arrow is still pointing up?
Picking up the option could be on the table because $12.1 million for an emerging pass-rusher would be a bargain. Baltimore declined Patrick Queen’s option last year, and he had a career year in 2023, setting himself up to get paid in free agency.
