ChrisXVI

The New Orleans Saints have declined the fifth-year option on cornerback Eli Apple’s contract, according to a report by NFL Network on Wednesday (May 1).

Apple, the 10th overall pick by the New York Giants in 2016, would have received $13.7 million for the 2020 season had the Saints added the option to his deal. All draft picks sign four-year contracts, but first-round picks have a fifth-year team option.



The Saints acquired Apple in a trade last October as they sent the Giants a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2020 seventh-round pick. New Orleans was seeking cornerback help after a rough start by Crawley, and Apple helped improve the secondary play in the second half of the season. In 10 games with New Orleans, Apple had 52 tackles, nine passes defensed and two interceptions, and he’s projected to start again in 2019.

However, the $13.7 million price tag of the fifth-year option would have made Apple among the highest paid cornerbacks in the league in 2020, and the Saints aren’t ready to commit to that high salary. The deadline for teams to pick up the option is Thursday (May 2).

Apple is still under contract for 2019 with a base salary for $2.5 million, but he’s now set to become an unrestricted free agent next March.

NOLA

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