NFL salary cap will reportedly skyrocket next season, projecting range of $301.2 million to $305.7 million per club
The NFL is projecting the salary cap to dramatically increase in 2026. The salary cap will reportedly be in the $301.2 million to $305.7 million per club, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
NFL salary cap over the years:
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2026
2013: $123M
2014: $133M
2015: $143.28M
2016: $155.27M
2017: $167M
2018: $177.2M
2019: $188.2M
2020: $198.2M
2021: $182.5M
2022: $208.2M
2023: $224.8M
2024: $255.4M
2025: $279.2M
2026: $301.2M-$305.7M (projected)
Business is booming. https://t.co/lNPmrwBQq0
This continues the trend of the salary cap going up over the last two seasons. Last season, the cap number was $279.2 million. In 2023, $208.2 million was the cap number, making this year's cap number a nearly $100 million increase. Outside of the 2021 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL's salary cap has increased every season.
According to Spotrac, the Tennessee Titans were projected to have the most cap space in 2026 before this salary increase. The Las Vegas Raiders, who also hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, along with the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets and NFC champions Seattle Seahawks, round out the top five.
The Kansas City Chiefs were projected to have the lowest amount of cap space next season. The Chiefs are followed by the New Orleans Saints, who continue to kick the can down the road with their cap space. The Minnesota Vikings will be navigating having the third-lowest cap space without former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins round out the top five in having the least amount of cap space.