NFL announces 2026 salary cap set at $301.2 million per team
NFL teams were informed on Friday that the 2026 salary cap will be $301.2 million per club, the league announced.
The $301.2 million figure is on the low end of January's projected range, but it marks the first time the league's cap will be greater than $300 million. It also stands as a $22 million increase over last year's cap of $279.2 million per club.
This continues a trend of cap growth as the business of football booms. In 2024, the cap was set at $255.4 million, and it was just four years ago when the cap eclipsed the $200 million threshold in 2022 ($208.2 million).
With free agency set to begin on March 11, teams will have plenty of cash to splash on prospective players.
NFL clubs were informed today that the salary cap for the ’26 season will jump $22 million per club to $301.2 million. Add in another $77.6m in benefits & that’s $378.8m per club in player spending. Tremendous growth pic.twitter.com/cQ5Zf3aGVW
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) February 27, 2026