The NFL offseason is heating up as teams finalize coaching staff and prepare for the draft. A significant focus is on the fifth-year option for players from the 2022 draft class. Each team must decide by May 1 whether to exercise this option, which allows them to retain first-round picks for an additional year at a fully guaranteed salary. Nineteen teams are weighing options for their eligible players based on their performance over the first three years in the league. Various tiers for salary options exist based on whether players meet specific performance benchmarks, including snaps played and Pro Bowl selections.

Among the notable eligible players, Aidan Hutchinson stands out with a one Pro Bowl option worth over $22 million, while other players like Sauce Gardner qualify for multiple Pro Bowls at $20 million. Teams are also evaluating the impact these decisions will have on their salary cap and roster construction moving forward. The fifth-year options serve as a critical mechanism for teams to manage young talent effectively as they transition into contract negotiations that could shape their future.