The NFL has officially set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million, marking a $22 million increase from last year. This adjustment aligns with previous projections and brings clarity to key financial figures such as franchise tag numbers and fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft.
For the Detroit Lions, the focus isn't on using the franchise tag but rather on the fifth-year options for their 2023 first-round selections. General Manager Brad Holmes expressed a strong desire to secure long-term deals for running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell, along with second-round picks Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. Holmes emphasized their importance to the team's future, saying, “These are key pieces we want to keep around for a long time.”
Analyzing Fifth-Year Options for Gibbs and Campbell
The cost of a fifth-year option is determined by a player's position and achievements. Players who have been named to the original Pro Bowl team multiple times earn the highest level for their position.
Jahmyr Gibbs, having been selected to two Pro Bowls, has a fifth-year option set at $14,293,000. If the Lions activate this option, Gibbs will be under contract in 2027 on a fully guaranteed one-year deal, making him the fourth-highest cap hit among running backs, trailing only Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry.
Jack Campbell, with one Pro Bowl selection, has a fifth-year option of $21,925,000. This figure places him third in cap hits among off-ball linebackers for 2027, behind Roquan Smith and Fred Warner.
Will the Lions Exercise These Options?
While Holmes hasn't explicitly stated his plans, his eagerness to extend both players suggests that the Lions are inclined to pick up each option. Historically, Holmes has used fifth-year options strategically, often incorporating them into contract extensions.
If the Lions were to reconsider one of these options, it might be Campbell's. The linebacker’s fifth-year option is notably high due to the inclusion of pass-rushing outside linebackers in the salary calculations, which skews the numbers. Interestingly, Campbell’s option is even more costly than that for defensive ends at his tier.
Overall, the Lions seem poised to secure their core players, leveraging the salary cap increase to build a competitive roster for the future.