2026 NFL fifth-year options: Tracking every player eligible and team decisions

It’s decision time for NFL teams regarding their first-round picks from the 2023 draft.

All players who are drafted into the NFL sign four-year contracts, but the fifth-year option is only available for first-round picks. Teams need to decide on the fifth-year options after a first-round pick has completed three full seasons.

This offseason, the 2023 NFL Draft class will be considered for these options. If a team exercises the fifth-year option, the player will remain under contract through the 2027 season. However, if a team declines the option, the player will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season.

The Seattle Seahawks have already picked up the option on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and quickly agreed to a record-breaking contract extension, another avenue for teams aiming to secure their homegrown talent for the future.

More: What is the NFL fifth-year option?

NFL teams have until May 1 to make all final decisions regarding fifth-year options for players from the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are each player’s eligibility and every team’s decision so far.

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NFL fifth-year option tracker 2026

All 31 of the first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft are eligible for fifth-year options. The first round featured one less pick in 2023 because the Miami Dolphins were forced to forfeit their selection (No. 21 overall) following an investigation into tampering.

Here’s which option each player would receive and the dollar amount, per OverTheCap:

(This section will be updated with each team’s decision)

** denotes that the team has exercised the option

QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers: Playtime option, $25.904 million
**QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: Playtime option, $25.904 million. Option picked up on April 8.
**Edge Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: One Pro Bowl option, $21.512 million. Option picked up on April 8.
**CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: Multiple Pro Bowls option, $21.161 million. Option picked up on March 20.
Edge Tyree Wilson, Las Vegas Raiders: Basic option, $14.475 million
RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: One Pro Bowl option, $11.323 million
DT Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: Multiple Pro Bowls option, $27.127 million
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: Multiple Pro Bowls option, $14.293 million
CB Emmanuel Forbes, Los Angeles Rams (drafted and waived by the Washington Commanders, picked up by Rams): Basic option, $12.633 million
LB Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions: One Pro Bowl option, $21.925 million
DE Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Basic option, $14.475 million
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens: Multiple Pro Bowls option, $27.298 million
**WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings: Playtime option, $18 million. Option picked up on March 30.
CB Deonte Banks, New York Giants: Basic option, $12.633 million
**TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: Basic option, $8.162 million. Option picked up on March 30.
DT Mazi Smith, New York Jets (drafted and traded by the Dallas Cowboys): Basic option, $13.931 million
**OT Anton Harrison, Jacksonville Jaguars: Playtime option, $19.072 million. Option picked up on March 31.
Edge Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals: Basic option, $14.475 million
DT Bryan Bresee, New Orleans Saints: Basic option, $13.931 million
Edge Nolan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: Basic option, $13.752 million