2026 NFL Salary Cap to Surpass $300 Million
The 2026 NFL salary cap is projected to exceed $300 million, marking another significant increase in recent years. This will be the second consecutive year the NFL surpasses expert forecasts. Last year, predictions estimated the salary cap to range between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, but it ultimately reached $279.2 million.
Expected Growth in Salary Cap
For the upcoming season, the salary cap is anticipated to rise by at least $22 million compared to the previous year. This increase aligns with the average growth trend observed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact on Teams
This growing cap provides teams with additional room to maneuver their roster decisions. For example, the Detroit Lions will have increased flexibility, even though they remain projected to be over the cap by $5 to $10 million. Nevertheless, this slight increase is not expected to dramatically alter their plans.
- The Lions’ cap situation may change once the NFL considers rollover amounts from the 2025 season.
- Contract bonuses, including “not likely to be earned” (NLTBE) and per-game bonuses, will also affect the final numbers.
- After these adjustments, the Lions could gain an additional $20 million, putting them back in compliance with the salary cap.
Teams Exceeding the Salary Cap
It is essential to note that the Lions are not alone in facing salary cap challenges. Twelve other teams are also projected to be over the cap, including all NFC North teams. This situation underscores the need for teams like the Lions to consider restructuring contracts for further financial flexibility in 2026.
As more data regarding rollover amounts and adjustments become available, El-Balad will provide updates ahead of the NFL’s new year, commencing on March 11, 2026.
