National Football League

Jets exercise 5th-year option on Quinton Coples

Published Apr. 23, 2015 6:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets have exercised their fifth-year option for 2016 on outside linebacker Quinton Coples.

Coples, the Jets' first-round draft pick in 2012 out of North Carolina, had a career-high 6 1/2 sacks last season. He has 16 1/2 career sacks, 104 tackles and two forced fumbles in his three seasons in New York.

The move Thursday was expected. Teams can exercise a player's fifth-year option after the final regular-season game of his third season and before May 3 of his fourth season.

The option is worth $7.8 million for next season, but the money is guaranteed only for injury until the start of the league year next March - which is when it becomes fully guaranteed. That gives the Jets time to evaluate Coples' future beyond this season.

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