The NFL continues to be the king of American major professional leagues. It keeps making billions every season, which inevitably translates into better financial opportunities for their teams.
After another successful season in 2025, the league planned to make a major move regarding the salary cap. Entering this offseason, it was set at $279.2 million. At the end of January, reports surfaced saying that the league would increase it to at least $300 million.
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Insider Mike Garafolo reported on Friday that the league confirmed that the 2026 salary cap would be $301.2 million per team, marking a $22 million increase.
Every team in the league would benefit from the $22 million extra they can spend, but more specifically, the Tennessee Titans ($97.1 million), the Las Vegas Raiders ($91.5 million) and the New York Jets ($91 million), three teams with plenty of needs to address this offseason.
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The NFL salary cap has nearly tripled since 2013
The NFL’s popularity has increased exponentially in the last 15 years. As a result, they secured better TV rights and much more revenue. The difference between this year’s salary cap and 2013’s is massive.
It started with $123 million. It increased between $10 million and $12 million per year. The decade started with the NFL salary cap set at $198.2 million. Six years later, it increased by over $100 million.
If you have any doubt that this competition is in a different league, take a second guess.
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