Story byHoward Balzer, Cardinals WireSun, March 1, 2026 at 11:51 PM UTC·4 min readWhen the NFL salary cap was set at $301.2 million for 2026, that also established the fifth-year option figures for first-round picks selected in 2023. All rookies sign four-year deals, but teams must decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options for 2027 by May 1. If the option is picked up, it becomes guaranteed and the dollar value is based on four tiers along with the placement in the round: two or more Pro Bowls for the first tier, one Pro Bowl for the second, play-time requirements for the third and the fourth has no criteria attached. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson met the third tier, and as the sixth overall choice, that ties him with four other players for the 10th-highest option of $19.072 million. The top players often sign contract extensions before reaching that fifth season. All drafted players aren’t permitted to sign new deals until after the third season. At the Scouting Combine this week, general manager Monti Ossenfort was asked about the urgency in signing Johnson to a new deal.“Excited about where Paris is at,” Ossenfort said.