NFL franchise, the Atlanta Falcons, have opted to extend the contract of wide receiver Drake London for another year, ensuring his continued presence on the team in 2023.
The Atlanta Falcons secure Drake London's future with fifth-year option
The Falcons locked in wide receiver Drake London until 2025, exercising his fifth-year option on Wednesday. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will rake in a hefty guaranteed $16.817 million in 2026.
Last season, London turned heads with career-best numbers: 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns. With an impressive rapport with QB Michael Penix Jr., London demonstrated his worth.
Durability and reliability are London's trademarks. In a dazzling 50-game career spanning 48 starts, he's notched 241 receptions, 3,042 yards, and 15 scores. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot, after the NFL draft, expressed his admiration for London:
Teams have till Thursday to decide on their 2022 first-round pick's fifth-year options.
Fifth-year options hold significant financial and strategic implications for teams. In the NFL, first-round picks sign four-year rookie contracts, with a team option for a fifth year. This option can extend the contract by a year without immediate negotiation but comes with a predetermined salary based on draft position and performance metrics.
For London, this fifth-year option allows the Falcons to retain control of him while preparing for potential extension talks. With London's production ascending, he might soon command a lucrative new contract approaching top wide receiver market rates. Top comparables include Brandon Aiyuk's four-year, $120 million deal ($30 million/year, $76 million guaranteed).
Exercising London's fifth-year option means the Falcons face a significant salary commitment for the 2025 season, yet they delay a large new contract until the following offseason. London's 2025 year serves as a "contract year," where his performance can justify a hefty extension and provide leverage for both parties.
The Falcons can evaluate London's compatibility with their evolving offense, especially with potential changes at quarterback, before committing to a monumental long-term deal. The Falcons likely view London's extension as a cornerstone move, aiming to secure a top-tier receiver akin to franchise greats like Julio Jones.
Teams employ fifth-year options as a low-risk method to maintain promising first-round picks, delaying expensive extensions. Cases like Kyle Pitts illustrate risks, as injuries and inconsistent performances can make the fifth-year option salary less justifiable, leading to trade talks or non-extension.
As London's extension approaches in 2026, the deals for 2022 first-rounders will reshape team salary caps and roster strategies league-wide.
- The Atlanta Falcons, following the exercise of Drake London's fifth-year option, can prepare for potential extension talks, which may see London command a lucrative new contract approaching top wide receiver market rates.
- London's 2025 season, under the fifth-year option, serves as a "contract year", where his performance will justify a hefty extension and provide leverage for both parties.
- By exercising London's fifth-year option, the Falcons face a significant salary commitment for the 2025 season, delaying a large new contract until the following offseason.
- The Falcons' decision to lock in London until 2025 highlights their view of him as a cornerstone receiver, comparable to franchise greats like Julio Jones.
- The NFL landscape may witness shifts in team salary caps and roster strategies as deals for 2022 first-round picks, including Drake London, get negotiated in 2026.
