Cardinals Face Costly Decision on Paris Johnson's Fifth-Year Option

The Arizona Cardinals must decide whether to exercise a $19 million fifth-year option on offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Arizona Cardinals have a major decision to make on whether to exercise the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., their 2023 first-round draft pick. Exercising the option would lock Johnson in at a $19 million salary for the 2027 season, but the Cardinals must weigh the pros and cons of that costly commitment against letting Johnson play out the final year of his rookie deal in 2026.

Why it matters

Johnson has emerged as a key piece of the Cardinals' offensive line, but the $19 million fifth-year option price tag is a significant investment. The decision will impact the team's salary cap and roster-building flexibility going forward, as they also have other major decisions looming around quarterback Kyler Murray and free agency.

The details

The Cardinals have until May 1 to decide on Johnson's fifth-year option. If they exercise it, he would be under contract through 2027. If they decline, 2026 would be the final year of his rookie deal. Johnson qualifies for the third-tier fifth-year option salary of $19 million, which would be fully guaranteed. The Cardinals will have to weigh Johnson's strong play when healthy against the fact that he has ended the last two seasons on injured reserve. An extension this offseason could be an alternative to the fifth-year option.

  • The Cardinals have until May 1, 2026 to decide on exercising Paris Johnson's fifth-year option.

The players

Paris Johnson Jr.

The Arizona Cardinals' offensive lineman and 2023 first-round draft pick.

Kyler Murray

The Cardinals' starting quarterback, whose future in Arizona is also a major offseason decision for the team.

Monti Ossenfort

The Arizona Cardinals' general manager, who discussed the team's upcoming decision on Paris Johnson's fifth-year option.

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What they’re saying

“Paris just got through year three, he'll be going into year four. Excited about where Paris is at. Just like all of our players, he's done some really good things and there's some areas that I know Paris wants to improve at.”

— Monti Ossenfort, Arizona Cardinals General Manager (si.com)

“That's kind of what comes with being one of the best left tackles in the game. Defensive ends are making $40 million a year, and you're going to need $40 million people to block them.”

— Paris Johnson Jr. (si.com)

What’s next

The Cardinals have until May 1, 2026 to decide whether to exercise Paris Johnson's fifth-year option, locking him in at a $19 million salary for the 2027 season.

The takeaway

The Cardinals face a difficult decision on Paris Johnson's fifth-year option, as the $19 million price tag is a significant investment but keeping the talented offensive lineman is crucial for the team's long-term success. An extension this offseason could be an alternative that works for both sides.