How is an option bonus treated for Salary Cap purposes?

An option bonus is treated as a signing bonus for salary cap purposes, meaning that it is prorated over the life of the player's contract. This treatment allows the cap hit for the bonus to be spread out, making it less burdensome on a team's salary cap in any single year. By prorating the option bonus, teams can effectively manage their salary cap space while compensating players for their performance and encouraging them to remain with the team.

The prorating of the option bonus benefits teams that are looking to build and maintain competitive rosters while also adhering to salary cap constraints. It allows teams to invest in player performance without an immediate and overwhelming impact on their cap situation.