NFL increases salary cap to $301.2M for 2026 season

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

$301.2M - The official number came in at the low end of the range from the earlier guidance from the league office.

Nevertheless, 2026 is the first time above $300M

https://x.com/NFLprguy/status/2027432987562852685

NFL clubs were informed today that the salary cap for the 2026 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

Cap numbers over the years:

2011: $120.4MM
2012: $120.6MM
2013: $123.6MM
2014: $133MM
2015: $143.3MM
2016: $155.3MM
2017: $167MM
2018: $177.2MM
2019: $188.2MM
2020: $198.2MM
2021: $182.5MM
2022: $208.2MM
2023: $224.8MM
2024: $255.4MM
2025: $279.2MM
2026: $301.2MM


https://x.com/spotrac/status/2027390531416764756

Estimated 2026 RFA Tenders

First-Round: $8,106,000
Second-Round: $5,811,000
Original-Round: $3,702,000
First-Refusal: $3,546,000

https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2027470404663590925

Here are the franchise and transition tag numbers:

Franchise tags:

Quarterback: $43.895MM
Running back: $14.293MM
Wide receiver: $28.298MM
Tight end: $15.045MM
Offensive line: $25.773MM
Defensive end: $24.434MM
Defensive tackle: $27.127MM
Linebacker: $26.865MM
Cornerback: $21.161MM
Safety: $20.149MM
Kicker/punter: $6.649MM

Transition tags:

Quarterback: $37.833MM
Running back: $11.323MM
Wide receiver: $23.852MM
Tight end: $12.687MM
Offensive line: $23.392MM
Defensive end: $21.512MM
Defensive tackle: $22.521MM
Linebacker: $21.925MM
Cornerback: $18.119MM
Safety: $16.012MM
Kicker/punter: $6.005MM