The NFL announced Friday that the salary cap for the 2026 season will be a record $301.2 million.
That represents an increase of $22 million from the 2025 campaign.
Per the NFL Football Operations website, the 2025 salary cap was set at $279.2 million. It’s been over $200 million since 2022 ($208.2 million) before rising to $224.8 million in 2023 and $255.4 million in 2024.
Per Over the Cap, the Tennessee Titans ($94.9 million) have the most salary cap space for the 2026 season, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders ($89.2 million), New York Jets ($88.8 million), Los Angeles Chargers ($85.6 million), Washington Commanders ($71.3 million) and Seattle Seahawks ($59.6 million).
The rest of the league’s cap space situation is as follows:
- Cincinnati Bengals: $50.7 million
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $42.6 million
- Los Angeles Rams: $42.0 million
- New England Patriots: $40.4 million
- San Francisco 49ers: $38.9 million
- Arizona Cardinals: $36.9 million
- Indianapolis Colts: $33.4 million
- Denver Broncos: $26.4 million
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $21.1 million
- Baltimore Ravens: $19.7 million
- Philadelphia Eagles: $13.8 million
- Carolina Panthers: $10.3 million
- Atlanta Falcons: $9.0 million
- New York Giants: $1.0 million
- Cleveland Browns: $0.9 million
- Miami Dolphins: $0.9 million
- Green Bay Packers: -$3.9 million
- Kansas City Chiefs: -$5.6 million
- Buffalo Bills: -$6.2 million
- Chicago Bears: -$6.4 million
- Houston Texans: -$7.2 million
- New Orleans Saints: -$10.6 million
- Detroit Lions: -$11.9 million
- Jacksonville Jaguars: -$15.8 million
- Minnesota Vikings: -$45.6 million
- Dallas Cowboys: -$56.1 million
The Titans, Raiders and Jets could do work this offseason after they each finished with 3-14 records.
Tennessee is the only team with $90 million or more in cap space, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if general manager Mike Borgonzi goes to work this offseason. The Titans need to do their best to (a) support franchise quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward and (b) get first-year head coach Robert Saleh off to a good start.
On the flip side, seeing the Seahawks with a host of cap space to work with should be scary for the league. Seattle, of course, just won the Super Bowl after going 17-3 (including playoffs). The Seahawks finished third in scoring while allowing the fewest points per game, and they can lay claim to being one of the best teams in the last half-century or so:
Seattle will need some cap space to re-sign some key players, though, namely wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, both of whom are eligible for extensions after their third NFL season.
There’s solid talent available on both sides of the ball in free agency, particularly on the edge (Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh) and the offensive line (center Tyler Linderbaum, offensive tackles Rasheed Walker Braden Smith). Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, a second-team All-Pro, is also an impending free agent.
As far as the skill positions go, notable players include quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers (if he stays active), Super Bowl MVP/running back Kenneth Walker III, running backs Breece Hall, running back Travis Etienne and wide receiver Alec Pierce.
The NFL free agency signing period starts on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, which is the beginning of the 2026 league year and when players can sign contracts. However, the legal tampering period starts on March 9 at noon ET, and that’s when talks and negotiations begin.
