The San Francisco 49ers have elected to exercise the fifth year option on Arik Armstead’s rookie contract. Armstead was already signed through 2018, and the option is for the 2019 season. By exercising the option now, it is guaranteed for injury. It becomes fully guaranteed if Armstead is on the roster on the first day of the 2019 league year.
The team had until May 3rd to make this decision. They still have to decide on guard Laken Tomlinson. Matt Barrows is reporting it appears the team will not exercise Tomlinson’s option.
The 2011 collective bargaining agreement gave all draft picks four-year contracts, but added a fifth year team option for first round picks. The team has to decide on the option during the offseason prior to a player’s fourth year. If they exercise the option, it becomes guaranteed for injury. If the player is on the 90-man roster at the start of the following league year, the option salary becomes fully guaranteed. Fifth year option salaries are determined for top ten picks, and then for the rest of the first round. The salary for Armstead’s option (11 through 32 picks), is equal to the transition tender for the given position using the applicable third through twenty-fifth highest salaries.
The position utilized is that which the player participated in the most plays during his third league year. Armstead moved to defensive end for the bulk of his time last season (this third league year), so he will get the salary of a defensive end instead of a defensive tackle. Joel Corry projected salaries for fifth year options, and Armstead’s 2019 salary would be $9,046,000.