One of the major benefits of drafting a player in the first round of the NFL Draft is securing five years of team control at the start of that player’s career. In addition to the rookie contract, clubs can choose to enact the fifth-year option two seasons in advance.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, the time has now come to make decisions on both of their 2022 first-round picks: cornerback Trent McDuffie (taken No. 21 overall) and defensive end George Karlaftis (taken No. 30 overall).
On Friday, the league informed teams of those specific dollar amounts.
And fifth-year option numbers for first-round picks in 2022 NFL Draft — a list that includes Aidan Hutchinson, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Smith, Tyler Lindenbaum and Jermaine Johnson, among others.
Clubs have until May 2 to exercise the option. pic.twitter.com/YLb3jcszlJ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025
Although McDuffie earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and second-team honors in 2024, he has not been named to a Pro Bowl. Karlaftis has neither been named an All-Pro nor received a Pro Bowl nod.
Both McDuffie and Karlaftis thus fall into the second category. As relayed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, McDuffie’s number for 2026 would be $13.6 million — and Karlaftis’ would be $15.2 million.
The Chiefs have until May 1 to activate the options. Considering their importance, it seems likely Kansas City would take advantage of the option for both McDuffie and Karlaftis.
