The Outlook on Contract Extensions for 2022 NFL First-Rounders: Garrett Wilson, Aidan Hutchinson, and Others

The class of 2022 NFL first-round draft picks is on the cusp of significant career milestones as teams approach crucial decisions on fifth-year options and lucrative contract extensions. Among the most spotlighted players are wide receiver Garrett Wilson and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, whose rapidly rising profiles have made their impending negotiations a major focus for their franchises and fans alike. This report analyzes the implications, possible contract structures, and strategic considerations surrounding these extensions, highlighting the broader context of the 2022 rookie class.

Understanding the Fifth-Year Option and Its Implications

First-round draft picks are subject to a four-year rookie contract with a team option for a fifth year. This fifth-year option must be exercised or declined before a preset deadline (usually by May 1 following the player’s third season), as it guarantees an additional year of service under a predetermined salary, often tied to the player’s position and performance accolades.

For the Jets, Lions, Texans, and other teams housing top 2022 talent, the fifth-year option represents both a safety net and a prerequisite step before negotiating more sizable, multi-year extensions. Exercising these options ensures the team retains control over the player for the 2026 season while assessing development and market value.

Current Trends Among 2022 First-Rounders

– Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions): The Lions quickly exercised Hutchinson’s fifth-year option, locking him in for 2026 at a significant cost (approximately $19.872 million), reflecting his impact as a defensive standout.
– Sauce Gardner (New York Jets): Acknowledged as a premier shutdown cornerback, the Jets have exercised or are set to exercise Gardner’s option, paving the way for a blockbuster long-term deal.
– Garrett Wilson (New York Jets): Similarly, Wilson’s fifth-year option is expected to be picked up following an ascendant 2024 season that saw him reach personal best statistics, positioning him for an eye-popping contract extension.

Projected Contract Extensions: Scope and Scale

Garrett Wilson: A Franchise-Worthy Receiver

Wilson has been lauded for his explosiveness, route-running, and ability to elevate the Jets’ passing game. Analysts predict that his next contract could reflect elite receiver status, possibly in the range of:

– Length: Approximately 4 years
– Total Value: Around $120 million
– Average Annual Value: Near $30 million per year

This anticipated deal aligns with the rising market for top-tier wide receivers, especially considering his youthful potential and trajectory under new coaching schemes designed to maximize his skill set.

Aidan Hutchinson and Other Defensive Stars

Defensive players like Hutchinson, Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, and Derek Stingley Jr. are all projected to command substantial contracts that could rival or surpass older defensive stars like Derek Stingley or current franchise cornerbacks. Hutchinson’s early option pick-up already indicates his franchise-level valuation, with teams eager to retain such disruptive talent ahead of free agency.

Strategic Timing and Team Salary Cap Flexibility

According to insiders such as ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets possess enough salary cap room post-June 1 designations to engage in meaningful negotiations with both Wilson and Gardner simultaneously. This financial maneuvering is critical to prevent the “next domino” of NFL extensions from falling unfavorably and disrupting the roster’s long-term fiscal health.

Factors Influencing Extension Negotiations

Challenges and Critical Perspectives

While enthusiasm for Wilson’s extension abounds, some analysts express caution, suggesting he might rank closer to the 20th-best receiver rather than the elite top-10—a subtle critique that reflects typical agent-team negotiations and expectations management.

Similarly, decisions to pick up or decline options for other 2022 first-rounders indicate varying assessments of players’ long-term fit and upside. The deadline to exercise these options passed on May 1, 2025, revealing which players are viewed as indispensable and which might enter free agency earlier than anticipated.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the 2022 First-Round Crop?

The contract extension discussions surrounding Garrett Wilson, Aidan Hutchinson, and their peers will shape the NFL landscape for years. These young stars are transitioning from promising rookies to franchise cornerstones, with financial rewards reflecting their impact and potential.

For teams like the Jets and Lions, executing timely and well-structured extensions is critical to maintaining roster continuity and building around these foundational talents. For the players, these deals represent both recognition of their contributions and an incentive to elevate their performance further.

Ultimately, the 2022 draft class is not merely a collection of talent but a cohort defining the new generation of NFL elite, and their contracts will symbolize the league’s evolving valuation of youth, skill, and positional importance. The upcoming months will reveal how these dynamics crystallize into deals that balance ambition, prudence, and vision.