5th Year Options Among Other Decisions for Packers to Make

Among the many financial and personnel decisions that Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball have to make this offseason, deciding whether or not to exercise the fifth-year options for Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage are two more items on the to-do list.

 

Every first-round pick comes with a fifth-year option in addition to their standard four-year rookie contract. Teams have to decide if they are going to pick that option up prior to the player’s fourth NFL season and if they do exercise it, that option can not be rescinded. For example, 2021 was Jaire Alexander’s fourth season, and the Packers picked up his fifth-year option for the 2022 season just before the deadline in early May.

 

The fifth-year option is basically a one-year deal, and the player’s salary is based on their performance during their rookie contract. Below Joel Corry — a former NFL agent — takes us through the factors that determine a player’s salary if the fifth-year option is picked up.

 

“With two or more Pro Bowl selections on the original ballot during the first three seasons of contracts, the fifth-year salary is the franchise tender, which is the average of the five highest salaries, for a player’s position in the fourth year of his contract. One Pro Bowl selection on the original ballot during the first three seasons of deals puts the fifth-year salary at the transition tender, which is average of the 10 highest salaries, for a player’s position in the fourth year of his contract. 

 

“Participating in 75 percent of offensive or defensive plays, whichever is applicable, in two of the first three seasons of deals or an average of at least 50 percent playtime in each of the first three seasons sets the fifth-year salary at the average of the third through 20th highest salaries at a player’s position. For first-round picks that don’t fall into any of these three categories, the fifth-year salary is the average of the third through 25th highest salaries at a player’s position.”

 

For the Green Bay Packers specifically, they’ll have two players to make decisions on this spring–Gary and Savage, their 2019 first-round picks. When it comes to Gary, this is an incredibly easy decision to make–you pick up the fifth-year option.

 

Gary was not only a key contributor on this Green Bay Packers team that was without Za’Darius Smith, but he was one of the most productive edge rushers in all of football. According to PFF, Gary finished the season with 81 pressures, the second-most in football, while his 10 sacks were the most on the Packers. He would also finish third among edge rushers in PFF’s pass-rush productivity metric as well.

 

Gary’s contract situation will likely play out similar to that of Alexander’s. Green Bay will pick up the option for the 2023 season this spring, and then next offseason, the two will come to terms on an extension–lowering Gary’s 2023 cap hit in all likelihood and keeping him in Green Bay beyond next season.

 

The more interesting decision, however, is what do the Green Bay Packers do with Darnell Savage?

 

To some degree, it seemed to fly under the radar, but 2021 wasn’t a particularly good season for Savage. Instead of taking that step forward, he actually went backwards. By PFF’s grading system, Savage ranked 69th out of 98 eligible safeties. Packer Report’s Andy Herman, who grades every play for every Packers player over the course of the season, had Savage as his second-lowest graded defender this season.

 

Savage would struggle in coverage, allowing a completion rate of 66 percent and 13.6 yards per catch with a passer rating of 115.1 per PFF. Missed tackles were still an issue as well, and while he did come away with a pair of interceptions, there were also missed opportunities. 

 

One of the more difficult aspects of this decision is that Green Bay has to decide whether to exercise Savage’s fifth-year option prior to his fourth NFL season. For all we know, he could take a big step forward in 2022. 

 

If I were making the decision, I would exercise it. Yes, Savage has had his ups and downs, but we’ve seen plenty of flashes over his first three seasons and the potential that he has. When asked to cover zones, playing closer to the line of scrimmage, or when his instincts can take over, is when we see Savage at his best.

 

Based on the 2021 figures, Savage’s salary in 2023 could land in the $7-8 million range–although that’s just a guess. On top of that, depending on what happens with Adrian Amos, safety could be a huge need in 2023. 

 

With all of that said, if there is hesitation on the Packers’ part given Savage’s inconsistencies and that there is some unknown with him–I do get it.

 

Now, if Green Bay doesn’t pick up Savage’s fifth-year option, that doesn’t mean he is going to be gone next season; the two will just have to come to an agreement on a new contract. 

 

First thing is first, Green Bay needs a  decision from Aaron Rodgers, then there is free agency and the draft as well. But in late spring, the Packers, along with the rest of the NFL, will have to make these fifth-year option decisions. For the Packers, one option will be easy to pick up, the other, not so much.