The NFL salary cap for the 2025 season is expected to fall between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, marking a significant increase of up to $26 million from the previous year. This substantial rise is part of a larger trend, with the salary cap having increased by at least $53 million over the last two years.
The significant salary cap increase brings welcome relief to several teams, particularly those with key players nearing free agency. The Cincinnati Bengals, for instance, now have more flexibility to sign wide receiver Tee Higgins to a lucrative long-term contract. Similarly, the increased cap space benefits the Minnesota Vikings in their pursuit to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold, the Kansas City Chiefs in retaining guard Trey Smith, and the Philadelphia Eagles in keeping linebacker Zach Baun.
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The significant salary cap increase also brings relief to teams projected to be over the cap when the new league year begins in March, including the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns. However, the additional cap space may not be enough to alleviate the significant financial strain faced by the New Orleans Saints, who are currently more than $50 million over the projected cap and are in the most precarious position heading into the 2025 season.
The NFL salary cap experienced a significant increase in 2024, rising to $255.4 million – a jump of over $30 million from the previous year.
Looking ahead to 2025, the league and the NFL Players Association are engaged in ongoing negotiations, with a projected salary cap range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million. This figure is subject to adjustment based on the recovery of deferred payments from 2024, with the players union eligible to reclaim up to 50% of $9 million this year and the remaining amount in 2026. A finalized cap figure is anticipated next week.
Notably, the NFL’s salary cap has undergone remarkable growth over the past decade and a half, more than doubling since its value of $123 million in 2009. In 2019, the cap stood at $188.2 million.
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