NFL fifth-year option tracker: Chargers lock in Justin Herbert through 2024; 49ers decline option for DT
The 2020 NFL Draft has become one of the more pivotal drafts in recent memory with a number of the game’s most notable players coming out that year, including the likes of Joe Burrow, Justin Hebert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Jefferson. Now, those players who were selected in the first round are reaching a pivotal mile-marker in their young careers.
NFL teams have until Tuesday, May 2 to exercise the fifth-year option on the rookie contracts of their first-round picks from the 2020 NFL Draft. This maneuver will ensure that the player would be under team control through the 2024 season. Tagovailoa was the first in this class to have his fifth-year option deployed with the Dolphins locking him in and several
other players are expected to follow.
Below, you’ll find the 28 first-rounders from that 2020 class who are eligible for the fifth-year option and whether or not their team decided to utilize it.
Fifth-year option tracker
| PLAYER (TEAM) | FIFTH-YEAR OPTION DECISION | PROJECTED CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow (Bengals) | Picked up | $29.504 million |
| Chase Young (Commanders) | Not picked up | $17.452 million |
| Jeff Okudah (Falcons) | Not eligible post-Lions trade | $11.514 million |
| Andrew Thomas (Giants) | $14.175 million | |
| Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) | Picked up | $23.171 million |
| Justin Herbert (Chargers) | Picked up | $29.504 million |
| Derrick Brown (Panthers) | Picked up | $11.665 million |
| Isaiah Simmons (Cardinals) | $12.722 million | |
| C.J. Henderson (Panthers) | Not picked up | $11.514 million |
| Jedrick Wills (Browns) | Picked up | $14.175 million |
| Mekhi Becton (Jets) | $13.565 million | |
| Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers) | Picked up | $18.244 million |
| Javon Kinlaw (49ers) | Not picked up | $10.455 million |
| Jerry Jeudy (Broncos) | Picked up | $12.987 million |
| A.J. Terrell (Falcons) | Picked up | $12.344 million |
| CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) | Picked up | $17.991 million |
| Austin Jackson (Dolphins) | $14.175 million | |
| K’Lavon Chaisson (Jaguars) | $12.141 million | |
| Jalen Reagor (Vikings) | $12.987 million | |
| Justin Jefferson (Vikings) | Picked up | $19.743 million |
| Kenneth Murray (Chargers) | Not picked up | $11.727 million |
| Cesar Ruiz (Saints) | Not picked up | $14.175 million |
| Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) | Picked up | $14.124 million |
| Jordan Love (Packers) | $20.272 million | |
| Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks) | $12.722 million | |
| Patrick Queen (Ravens) | Not picked up | $12.722 million |
| Noah Igbinoghene (Dolphins) | $13.202 million | |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs | $5.461 million |
