Some first-round picks in the NFL end up being the runt of the litter, busting any opportunity to become the players that their higher selection warranted. Most, however, go on to be just what their teams needed. And as the 2023 class – headlined by Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Will Anderson Jr. – move into their fourth season in the league, their teams will be deciding whether or not to exercise their fifth-year options. The deadline to do that was May 1.

If teams decide to pick up the option, the player will be under contract through the 2027 season. If declined, 2026 will be the last season on the rookie contract. It’s a delicate process and is influenced by many factors. So, let’s see who all will get to be on the same team for yet another year.

Fifth-year option explained

The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement allows teams to exercise a fifth-year option for players drafted in the first round in addition to the standard four-year rookie contract. The numbers on their checks differ based on four tiers specifically for the fifth-year salary: Basic, Playtime, One Pro Bowl, and Multiple Pro Bowls.

Upon being exercised, the fifth-year option is fully guaranteed, and any base salary in the players’ fourth year that was not fully guaranteed will become so, according to OverTheCap.com

Players like Seattle Seahawks Devon Witherspoon had their option exercised, and his basic salary was $12.6 million, but Witherspoon has made three Pro Bowls, so his fifth-year option salary goes up to $21.1 million.

When can the player expect the second contract?

The team typically signs players to an extension sometime during the fourth season, so many of those headliners could receive that option or extensions this season.

For instance, Anderson Jr.’s option was exercised, but the Houston Texans did him one better by signing the All-Pro to a three-year, $150 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback.

Getting it done faster helps lower the immediate cap hit of the guaranteed fifth-year salary. For example, the Detroit Lions exercised Aidan Hutchinson’s fifth-year option on April 25 last year and signed him to a four-year, $180 million extension in October of last season. Expect deals to get done throughout the season and in the lead-up. Now, if you are wondering how understanding this financial chart will help, there’s an advantage to it.

Looking at the players who have had their options exercised, we can assess the likelihood of them reaching their second contract with the team.

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Young got his option exercised in January of this year. He’ll earn just under $26 million, and it’ll be all guaranteed. Young has shown flaws with the Carolina Panthers, but has struggled at times. He was benched for a short period during the 2024 season in favour of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.

He later got the starting job back and played well. Entering 2025, the Panthers added talent to the offense by drafting Tetairoa McMillan, and he had his best year in the league with 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The team hopes Young can make another leap with added offensive line talent and new receivers John Metchie III and Chris Brazzell II.

CJ Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

Stroud took over the NFL in his rookie season, having over 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year and has led the Texans to the playoffs in the three seasons he’s been there. Everything has slumped since.

Stroud has been chasing his rookie-year numbers with two inconsistent seasons, including a four-interception game in the playoffs. It’ll be a major season for Stroud as the Texans agreed to his fifth-year option, putting him over $25 million.

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks

We’ve already touched on Witherspoon above, but he’s almost certainly a lock to get his extension sometime throughout the season. He’s been everything the Seahawks could’ve hoped for when they invested their top-five pick in him.

He’s been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. In the 2025 campaign, he received second-team All-Pro honors while being a key piece to the Seahawks’ championship.

Update: Witherspoon now stands at over $21 Million after signing the extension.

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Arizona Cardinals

As a rookie, Johnson started every game for the team at right tackle, switching to the left side in 2024. The change in position did nothing to budge this anchor, as he’s been the lone bright spot of the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line. He has missed a handful of games in each of the last two seasons. But when he’s on the field, he’s been solid. He will earn $19 million with his option as he qualifies for the playtime tier, boosting his salary by $1 million.

Update: The Cardinals have exercised his fifth-year option.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Robinson is the 26th-highest-paid running back in terms of APY. That will most definitely change before the end of this season.

He’s been everything the Atlanta Falcons could’ve hoped for when the team took him with the eighth pick in 2023. The playmaker led the league in yards from scrimmage in 2025 and is a threat any time he has the ball in his hands, whether in the run game or through the air.

He’s coming off a year in which he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns.

Update: He will return to Atlanta in 2027 with his one-time Pro-Bowl tier activated for over $11M.

Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

There were rumors that Carter was shopped by the Philadelphia Eagles, but his option was picked up. And it’s understandable why.

He is one of the most dominant players in the league with the ability to change scripts for the opposing offense. When the team won Super Bowl LIX, he was one of Philadelphia’s best players and kept up his elite play last season. However, he now has a competition.

The team just signed Jordan Davis to an extension averaging $26 million a year, so it’s unclear if the team will want to pay two defensive tackles that kind of money. Regardless, he’ll be with the team throughout the 2027 season, so we’ll have to see how it plays out. Would’ve been surprised if the team shops him next offseason if there’s no extension done.

Update: The team exercised his fifth-year option in the multi-Pro Bowl selection tier, pushing him over $27 million.

Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears

Wright’s durability fits perfectly with what head coach Ben Johnson wants to accomplish on the offensive end. He thrives in the run game and isn’t afraid to get aggressive. He started 16 games in the last two years, with 17 in his rookie season. Wright is another lock on this list for getting his second contract sometime this season.

Update: The Bears exercised his fifth-year option in the playtime tier, locking him at $19 million.

Peter Skoronksi, G, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans need some help along the offensive line, but it’s not because of Skoronski. He’ll get his extension as well, as the team exercised his fifth-year option to get the process started. The team should focus on getting it done sooner rather than later while Cam Ward is on his rookie contract.

Update: The Titans exercised his fifth-year option in the playtime tier at $19 million.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Lions general manager Brad Holmes shocked the NFL world when he took Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in the draft. Since then, he’s gotten the last laugh.

Gibbs is coming off a season having over 1,800 yards from scrimmage with 18 total touchdowns on the season. He’s been the motor of the Lions’ offense. And with David Montgomery traded this offseason, they’ll be relying on him even more.

He has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons and finished in the top-10 in voting for Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

Update: The team exercised the multi-Pro Bowler’s fifth-year option for over $14 million.

Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Green Bay Packers

Van Ness was taken as more of a developmental edge, but has slowly found his footing in the league. He played 17 games in each of his first two seasons but was limited to just nine last year with career-low numbers across the board, but that wasn’t necessarily because of his own lack of work.

Green Bay had a lot of changes to its defensive front: exits of Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary, and the addition of Micah Parsons to begin the 2026 season. I expect him to make another jump this year, but it will be worth debating how long he stays with the team.

Update: The Packers extended Van Ness according to the basic tier.

Will McDonald IV, Edge, New York Jets

The New York Jets picked up McDonald’s option, and while he had a down year in 2025, it saves them money. He’s set to make $13.7 million with the options, which ranks 33rd among edge rushers. Like Van Ness, it gives the team an extra year to decide if McDonald’s will be a part of the long-term plan. Expect him not to get anything done during the 2026 season.

Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

Gonzalez is another lock on this list despite facing injuries in his rookie season. He saved his best performance of the season for the Super Bowl and has been a true No. 1 corner for the New England Patriots.

Update: He is on a fifth-year option in the one-time Pro Bowler tier at over $18 million.

Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to have hit on Kancey; the problem is, he’s never on the field. He’s battled a calf injury and a torn pec. When he’s on the field, he thrives in the Todd Bowles defensive scheme; it’s just about availability with Kancey. If he can put together a healthy 2026, he should be in contention for an extension next offseason.

Update: The Bucs exercised Kancey’s basic-tier fifth-year option at $14 million.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Johnston had a rookie season that he’d like to forget. His career has been plagued with drops, but he’s slowly found his footing within the Los Angeles Chargers offense. He’s coming off his best season in the NFL and will need another productive season to get an extension. Expect the Charges to wait and see with Johnston.

Update: The Chargers agreed to his playtime-tier fifth-year option at $18M.

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Flowers seems to be a lock with the Baltimore Ravens with how he’s performed so far in his career. He’s coming off his best year with 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. The Ravens will likely want to get it done sooner rather than later, given how the wide receiver market has shifted in the NFL.

Update: Flowers got his fifth-year option activated for multiple Pro Bowl titles at $27 million.

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings picked up the option at playtime tier, but I’d be surprised if they signed him to a long-term deal during the 2026 season. He’s battled off-field issues, including a 2024 DUI and a 2025 team suspension. He’s been great on the field; his character issues are the reason an extension won’t get done this year.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Kincaid has been battling injuries over the past two seasons, but has been a main target of Josh Allen when he’s on the field. The Buffalo Bills will likely wait to see if he can stay healthy before committing long-term.

Update: The Bills exercised his fifth-year option as the basic tier for $8 million.

Anton Harrison, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars will likely look to get a deal done with Harrison this season. He’s solidified himself as the team’s starting right tackle and has lived up to where he was selected.

Update: The Jaguars exercised his fifth-year option as the playtime tier for $19 million.

Nolan Smith Jr., Edge, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith has been in a crowded edge room in his time with the Eagles, but this next season, he’ll be a main staple of the Eagles’ pass rush. Based on his performance, the Eagles could look to get him a long-term extension next offseason.

Update: For now, the Birds locked him at $14 million with the basic-tier fifth-year option active.

Of the 31 selections in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 19 players have already received confirmation for their fifth-year option to be exercised. Whether it was because the team wanted to see more of them or because they genuinely helped boost the team became the biggest reason why. While some names still remain, they might improve their stocks to get an extension any time throughout the season.