The Pittsburgh Steelers now have less than two weeks to decide whether or not to pick up the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Jarvis Jones and while I have been telling you for some time now how that amount would likely be in excess of $8 million for the 2017 season, there’s now an exact figure to pass along to you.
According to former agent Joel Corry of CBS Sports, the option year amount for Jones will be $8.369 million because of him being selected outside of the top 10 in 2013. Should the Steelers decide to pick up that fifth-year option prior to the May 2nd deadline, that amount will be guaranteed to Jones only if he’s seriously injured. That $8.369 million option year would ultimately become fully guaranteed on the first day of the league year next offseason.
While I have already covered the pros and cons related to the Steelers option-year forthcoming decision with Jones, the fact of the matter is he’s yet to show he’s worthy of having it picked up. Sure, Jones has had his moments, however, the chances of him ever developing into a double-digit sack producer in 2016 certainly don’t look great and especially being as he’s likely to split playing time once again with veteran James Harrison.
Now, while the Steelers could certainly pick up Jones’ fifth-year option and ultimately cut him prior to the start of the 2017 league year should he have a less-than-stellar 2016 season, such a move would result in the franchise not receiving any sort of compensation for their former first-round selection. In other words, no compensatory draft pick. On the flip side, should the Steelers decide not to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option and he goes on to have an All-Pro season in 2016, the team would be forced to use an even more expensive tag on the linebacker next offseason in order to retain him.
Personally, I wouldn’t pick up Jones’ fifth-year option and we’ll know in less than two weeks if the Steelers feel the same way.
