NFL salary cap hits new high of $301.2M in 2026

What’s Happening

So basically The NFL salary cap has topped $300 million for the first time in league history, landing at $301.

NFL salary cap hits milestone at $301. 2 million for 2026 play Why Orlovsky is on board with Vikings signing Aaron Rodgers (0:41) Dan Orlovsky explains why he believes the Vikings should look to add Aaron Rodgers this offseason. (it feels like chaos)

(0:41) Associated Press Multiple Authors Feb 27, 2026, 03:11 PM ET Email Print Open Extended Reactions INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL salary cap has topped $300 million for the first time, landing at $301.

The Details

2 million in 2026 for a $22 million increase over last year. The cap has increased 40% in just five years, since it dropped coming off the pandemic-altered 2020 season when few or no the fandom were allowed to attend games.

Editor’s Picks 2026 NFL franchise tag updates: Cowboys tag George Pickens, Falcons tag Kyle Pitts Sr. NFL Nation NFLPA 2026 report cards: See the results for all 32 teams Kalyn Kahler NFL futures: Champion Seahawks, Rams atop Super Bowl LXI odds Doug Greenberg 2 Related The numbers were sent to clubs Friday, and teams must be under the salary cap by March 11, the first day of the new league year.

Why This Matters

Rapid growth has been expected since the COVID-19 season, and the biggest year-to-year increase of $31 million came from 2023 to 2024. The cap dropped to $182 million in 2021 from $198 million going into the pandemic season. The increase has been at least $16 million each year since then, with an average increase of $24 million.

Sports analysts are already debating what this means for the competition.

Key Takeaways

• Total projected player costs, including benefits, are $378.
• Wide receiver remains the second-most lucrative franchise tag at $27.
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The Bottom Line

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What’s your take on this whole situation?