The Seattle Seahawks surprised some fans by exercising the fifth-year option on left tackle Charles Cross. This article delves into the financial strategy behind the decision, explaining why the $17.5 million price tag represents a significant financial advantage for both the team and the player.
Earlier this May, the Seattle Seahawks , as anticipated, exercised the fifth-year option on left tackle Charles Cross . This move surprised some fans, given the estimated $17.5 million price tag attached to the option and the Seahawks' history of fiscal restraint when it comes to investing in the offensive line . However, the rationale behind the decision is that the fifth-year option provides a unique advantage for both Cross and the team.
For Cross, it guarantees a significant sum of money, while simultaneously allowing the Seahawks the flexibility to negotiate a more cap-friendly contract extension in the future. Upon closer examination, this seemingly contradictory strategy becomes more transparent.The crux of understanding the value of the fifth-year option for Cross lies in recognizing the current market value of starting-caliber left tackles. Even those who haven't achieved Pro Bowl status command substantial salaries. Due to the scarcity of competent offensive linemen in today's NFL, few left tackles match Cross's age and on-field performance. Examining the contracts of starters on multi-year second contracts who will be 27 or younger during the 2025 season illuminates the market for a player like Cross. The contract values of these players may initially lead to comparisons with Cross's current contract situation, prompting the question why the Seahawks wouldn't simply extend Cross on similar terms. However, a deeper dive into a range of metrics reveals a compelling contrast. Comparing these metrics on a per-thousand snaps basis, Cross emerges as a standout performer. When a team seeks a young starting left tackle in the $13.5 million to $15 million range on the free agent market, they are typically signing an unproven veteran with a limited number of career starts, whose potential is uncertain. Furthermore, Cross, at 24, is the youngest among these players. Of the six tackles on the list, Darrisaw, Thomas, Jackson, and Little all signed extensions with their drafting teams, while the two Moores, whose contracts appear inflated, were the only ones to hit free agency. This emphasizes that free agency often leads to contracts exceeding a player's intrinsic value. Considering Cross's potential market value as a free agent next spring, estimates suggest a range of $25 million. However, if the Seahawks were to negotiate an extension today, his market rate would likely fall between $22 million and $23 million, or potentially even higher.The exercised fifth-year option, therefore, offers the Seahawks a strategic advantage, effectively saving them $4-$5 million in 2026 compared to an extension at market rate. This seemingly paradoxical decision becomes clear when analyzing the financial implications. The pivotal question now lies in the timing of Cross's contract extension. Reaching an agreement this offseason could yield even greater cap savings than exercising the fifth-year option. On the other hand, waiting until Cross enters the final year of his contract could result in a higher cap expenditure than the savings achieved by exercising the option.
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