All articles tagged with #fifth year option
Texans owner Cal McNair reaffirmed the team's commitment to quarterback C.J. Stroud, noting Houston exercised his fifth-year option and that contract negotiations with Stroud’s camp will be handled behind the scenes by GM Nick Caserio. There’s no rush to finalize a deal before the team returns to the field, with the next potential major step likely next offseason.
The Colts will not exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s rookie contract, signaling a move toward seeking a trade; the 2027 option would have paid $22.483 million. Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, has started 15 games amid injuries and an eye injury, and has requested a trade. If no deal is reached, he could be released. The Colts’ depth chart behind Daniel Jones includes Richardson, Riley Leonard and Seth Henigan.
The Cincinnati Bengals did not exercise the fifth-year option on edge rusher Myles Murphy to preserve salary-cap flexibility, signaling a possible long-term deal as Murphy showed breakout potential with 5.5 sacks last season; with a retooled defense, the team is prioritizing cap management while Murphy continues to develop under new coordinator Al Golden and a strengthened front.
Green Bay exercised the fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, keeping the 2023 No. 13 pick under contract for 2027 with an estimated $13.8 million guaranteed. Van Ness has appeared in 43 games (2 starts) over three seasons, including a 2025 season largely missed due to a foot injury, finishing that year with 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits; career totals reach 8.5 sacks, 17 TFLs and 7 QB hits.
The Bengals declined to exercise Myles Murphy's fifth-year option (a $14.475 million cap hit in 2027) and will pursue a long-term extension, with May 1 as the deadline and ongoing salary-cap considerations guiding the decision as Murphy remains a key piece for Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals will not exercise the fifth-year option on defensive end Myles Murphy, choosing to pursue a long-term contract instead. Murphy, a 2023 first-round pick, would have earned $14.475 million in 2027 under the option and has posted 92 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a fumble across three seasons, including 5.5 sacks last year, as the team looks to keep him beyond 2027.
Carolina Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young’s rookie contract, keeping him in Charlotte through the 2027 season after a standout 2025 campaign (3,011 yards, 23 TDs, 63.6% completion, 87.8 passer rating) and leading the league in late-game game-winning drives since 2023.
Detroit Lions reportedly exercised Jahmyr Gibbs's fifth-year option at $14.3 million (one-year, fully guaranteed) while declining Jack Campbell's $21.9 million option, a pricing gap driven by position grouping. The move keeps the 2023 class (Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, Branch) together with extensions likely to follow, though Campbell's path is more complex under the option rules.
Detroit Lions will exercise Jahmyr Gibbs's fifth-year option, guaranteeing $14.293 million for 2027, while declining Jack Campbell's fifth-year option (which would have guaranteed $21.925 million); the team plans long-term extensions for both and views Campbell as a core part of the future.
The Philadelphia Eagles exercised 2027 fifth-year options for first-round picks Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Carter qualifies for Tier 4 (two Pro Bowls) at about $27.13 million, while Smith remains Tier 1 at about $13.75 million. The options become fully guaranteed when exercised, and the move aligns with the team’s recent use of fifth-year options for players like Jordan Davis and DeVonta Smith.
The Saints acquired Tyree Wilson from the Raiders in a trade, and GM Mickey Loomis said it will be a one-year audition to see how the 2023 No. 7 pick fits in the defense, with a likely decision on his fifth-year option coming afterward; a strong 2026 could set up a bigger payday in 2027.
Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio confirmed they exercised C.J. Stroud’s fifth-year option for 2027, a procedural move worth $25.9 million that keeps the 2023 No. 2 pick under contract. Caserio stressed Stroud is the team's quarterback and indicated contract talks would likely wait for another season to further evaluate his development after his postseason performance.
The Falcons have exercised Bijan Robinson’s fifth-year option and signed Jawaan Taylor, part of a busy offseason update. The roundup also highlights a cascade of visits, signings, and coaching moves across the league, including Jack Jones signing with the 49ers and the Patriots hiring Shane Bowen as a defensive analyst, with multiple players like Ted Hurst, Christen Miller, and Chase Bisontis visiting various clubs.
Houston exercised the fifth-year options for QB C.J. Stroud ($25.9 million) and DE Will Anderson Jr. ($21.5 million), guaranteeing both on the roster through 2027. Stroud is extension-eligible after this season, and Houston plans to work toward a long-term deal either this year or next, as Anderson emerged as a breakout star and the duo remains the core of a rising Texans team.
The Houston Texans exercised the 2027 fifth-year options on quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson, setting Stroud's 2027 salary at $25.904 million and Anderson's at $21.512 million, with both players eligible for extensions beyond 2027.