On Friday, the NFL sent out a memo notifying teams that the 2026 NFL salary cap has been set at $301.2 million, a $22 million raise from last year—and just in line with previous estimates. With the setting of the salary cap, other important figures have now been solidified, including franchise tag numbers for each position, and fifth-year option figures for the 2023 NFL Draft first-round picks.
The Detroit Lions aren’t likely to use the franchise tag, but obviously the fifth-year option numbers are relevant
to them. They have two first-round selections from the 2023 NFL Draft, and both are likely to see an extension in Detroit. Earlier this week at the NFL Combine, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell—along with second-round picks Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch—are all players they’d like to see with the team long-term.
“There’s a lot of different timelines and levers that we’ll have at our disposal, but those are all players that you rattled off that we see as key pieces that we want to keep around for a long time,” Holmes said.
How much will fifth-year options cost for Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell
Fifth-year option are based on two things: position and accomplishments. If you’ve been named to the original Pro Bowl team twice or more (not an alternate), you earn the highest level for your position. There are also separate levels for players with one Pro Bowl, players who have met a playtime criteria, and a baseline tier.
For Jahmyr Gibbs, his fifth-year option figure is $14,293,000, because he has been selected to two Pro Bowls. So if Detroit opts to activate Gibbs’ fifth-year option, he’ll be under contract in 2027 one a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $14,293,000—which would be the fourth highest cap hit at running back, behind Christian McCaffrey ($26.4M), Josh Jacobs ($16.6M), and Derrick Henry ($16.3M).
For Jack Campbell, his fifth-year option is $21,925,000, because he has been selected to one Pro Bowl. That would place Campbell third among off-ball linebacker cap hit in 2027, well behind Roquan Smith ($32.7M) and Fred Warner ($29.6M).
Will the Lions pick up the fifth-year options?
Holmes was not asked directly about this, but his openness to extend both players suggests Detroit would likely be willing to pick up each option. It’s worth noting that in the past, Holmes has used the fifth-year option as a tool in adding an extra year to a new contract extension. There may not be a formal announcement of an exercise of the option, but rather tacking it on to the contract extension once the format of the deal is announced.
If the Lions were likely to pass on one of the options, it’s Campbell’s. The only reason for that being that his option is unfairly high, given that the salaries of all linebackers—including pass-rushing outside linebackers—has caused an unfairly high fifth-year option figure for linebackers. To give you a sense of just how messed up that figure is, Campbell’s fifth-year option is actually more costly than the defensive end fifth-year option at his tier ($21,512,000).
When is the deadline for fifth-year options decisions?
All NFL teams must decide whether to exercise fifth-year options of their 2023 first-round picks by May 1.
