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When the Detroit Lions selected Jeff Okudah with the No. 3 overall pick, the hope was that he would come into the league and quickly become one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately, Okudah has dealt with injuries, and he still has not played a full season in the pros. Though Okudah did play well for part of the 2022 season, he struggled down the stretch, and it will be interesting to see if Detroit picks up his 5th-year extension.
Why it matters for Jeff Okudah
Jeff Okudah is under contract through the 2023 season, but GM Brad Holmes will have to decide if he wants to pick up the 5th-year option, which would keep him around through 2024. It is important to note that Okudah has only played in 25 career games, which means he could certainly show some improvements moving forward. But, if he does not take that step forward, you can expect Holmes to let him walk following the 2023 season.
What it will cost to pick up Okudah’s 5th-year option
Though Okudah’s contract only goes through the 2023 season, if the Lions want to, they could pick up his 5th-year option, which would keep him around through the 2024 campaign. We now know how much it will cost for Detroit to pick up that 5th-year option. According to Albert Breer, it will cost Detroit $11,514,000 to pick up that option. The deadline for Detroit to make a decision on Okudah’s fifth year is May 1, 2023.
Bottom Line: The Lions will not pick up Okudah’s option, they will trade him
I did not like the Jeff Okudah pick at the time, and I hate it even more now. The Lions have given Okudah enough time to prove himself worthy of a roster spot, and he had not been able to take advantage of the opportunity. Not only will the Lions not pick up Okudah’s fifth-year option, but I think they will trade him prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.
