The NFL announced the 2024 salary cap. setting it at $255.4 million. By so doing, the cost of tenders, tags and options are now known.
The Arizona Cardinals have a decision to make by the beginning of May and that is whether or not to pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Zaven Collins’ contract.
Players drafted in the first round have a fifth-year team option that pays them like one of the best at their position.
What would it cost the Cardinals to exercise the option?
The fifth-year option salary varies by position and other factors. For Collins, a linebacker, these are the tiers:
- $24 million for two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons (he didn’t do this)
- $19.97 million for one Pro Bowl (he didn’t do this)
- $14.48 million for no Pro Bowls but hitting playing time criterion
- $13.25 million for no criterion
According to Howard Balzer, it would be the lowest number for Collins because he did not hit the necessary playing time to hit the second tier.
Collins moved from inside linebacker to outside linebacker last season under new head coach Jonathan Gannon. Playing from the edge (and doing a lot more than just rushing the quarterback), he started 17 games and finished with 41 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, an interception, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
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