Fifth-year Option Salaries Set

Time flies. NFL teams that selected players in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft have a decision to make on those players. Teams have to decide whether to pick up the fifth-year options. They have until March 2 to make those decisions. The league set the salaries that go with those options on Monday. 

1. Quarterback Kyler Murray, Cardinals: $29,703,000
2. Defensive end Nick Bosa, 49ers: $17,859,000
3. Defensive end Quinnen Williams, Jets: $11,500,000
4. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: $11,500,000
5. Linebacker Devin White, Buccaneers: $11,706,000
6. Quarterback Daniel Jones, Giants: $22,384,000
7. Defensive end Josh Allen, Jaguars: $11,500,000
8. Tight end T.J. Hockenson, Lions: $9,392,000
9. Defensive tackle Ed Olive, Bills: $10,753,000
10. Linebacker Devin Bush, Steelers: $10,892,000
11. Tackle Jonah Williams, Bengals: $12,604,000
12. Linebacker Rashan Gary, Packers: $10,892,000
13. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: $10,753,000
14. Guard Chris Lindstrom Falcons: $13,202,000
15. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins: No option because he was released by the Commanders.
16. Defensive end Brian Burns, Panthers: $16,012,000
17. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Giants: $10,753,000
18. Center Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: $13,202,000
19. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Titans: $10,753,000
20. Tight end Noah Fant, Broncos: $6,850,000
21. Safety Darnell Savage, Packers: $7,901,000
22. Tackle Andre Dillard, Eagles: $12,604,000
23. Tackle Tytus Howard, Texans: $13,202,000
24. Running back Josh Jacobs, Raiders: $8,034,000
25. Wide receiver Marquise Brown, Ravens: $13,413,000
26. Defensive end Montez Sweat, Commanders: $11,500,000
27. Safety Johnathan Abraham, Raiders: $7,901,000
28. Defensive end Jerry Tillery, Chargers: $11,500,000
29. Defensive end L.J. Collier, Seahawks: $11,500,000
30. Cornerback Deandre Baker: No option to pick up after being released by the Giants.
31. Tackle Kaleb McGary, Falcons: $13,202,000
32. Wide receiver N’Keal Henry, Patriots: $12,425,000

Those salaries are guaranteed when the teams pick up those options. The lowest level is equal to the average of the 3rd to 25th highest salary at their position over the past five seasons. Players who have played 75% of their team’s snaps in two seasons or 50% over their first three seasons get salaries equal to the 3rd to 20th highest salaries at their position. Players who have made one Pro Bowl get a salary equal to the transition tag. Players who have made multiple Pro Bowls get a salary equal to the franchise tag. That’s why Kyler Murray’s number approaches $30 million. 

I would guess that the Minnesota Vikings have an easy decision. Garrett Bradbury might still have a long, productive career with the Vikings. Playing on the fifth-year option won’t be part of his career path. Not at $13,202,000. That’s a big number for a center with few holes in his game. That’s a ludicrous number for a center with so much still to prove. In his three years in Minnesota, only COVID has kept Bradbury out of the starting lineup. He’s started 45 of 48 games. Despite the availability and durability, his fourth season will be a make-or-break season. He’ll be playing for a fifth season in Minnesota rather than having it handed to him.

It’s always felt weird to have teams make a decision on a player’s fifth season in advance of their fourth season. It is what it is.