The deadline has passed for NFL franchises to exercise the fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2020 Draft - with 18 players failing to see their contracts extended.
When a player is selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, they sign a four-year rookie contract that includes a team option for an additional fifth year. The 32 franchises must decide to pick up a player’s fifth-year option before the end of the player’s third season but before May 3 of the following league year.
The salary that comes with the option accounts for prior performance, Pro Bowl appearances and snap count of the player as well as the cap situation for the team. Even if the fifth-year option is not exercised, players have the opportunity to negotiate long-term extensions with their team throughout the season before hitting free agency.
