How are rookie contracts typically structured in the NFL?

Rookie contracts in the NFL are generally structured as four-year deals with an option for a fifth year. This structure allows teams to retain the rights to a player for a significant period, enabling them to assess a player's development and potential impact on the team. The four-year term is standard across the league, and the fifth-year option can be exercised for first-round draft picks, which provides teams with an opportunity to extend the player's contract for another year at a predetermined salary that is based on performance and position.

This method of structuring contracts addresses the balance between giving the rookies a fair chance to prove themselves while also allowing teams to maintain some flexibility with their roster and salary cap management. Teams can decide whether to exercise that option based on the player's performance during the initial four years, making it a strategic part of roster planning.