First-round draft picks in the NFL have a built-in fifth-year option that teams can elect to exercise the offseason before the final year of their contract. This adds an extra year onto their rookie contract at a set amount of money that becomes fully guaranteed when exercised. The window for teams to exercise the option opened up on Jan. 8th, but the deadline will not come until May 2nd. This gives teams time to see how free agency and the draft shake out before making the decision.
This season, the Steelers’ decision will be on RB Najee Harris.