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NFL Sets Record 2026 Salary Cap at $301.2 Million

A March 11 cap‑compliance deadline is expected to unleash restructures, cuts, trades ahead of free agency.

Overview

  • The cap is paired with $77.6 million in benefits, putting projected 2026 player costs at about $378.8 million per team.
  • The number arrives at the low end of the $301.2–$305.7 million range the NFL circulated in January.
  • OverTheCap projects Tennessee with a league‑high roughly $95 million in room, followed by Las Vegas, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington.
  • Ten clubs are currently over the limit per OverTheCap, including Dallas at about $56 million over, with teams required to be compliant by the new league year on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
  • The legal tampering window opens March 9 at noon ET, with revenue gains from media rights, a 17th game, expanded playoffs and gambling partnerships cited as drivers of the cap surge.