NFL boosts salary cap to $301.2M in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Fri 27th February, 13:08 2026

Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the Super Bowl LX host committee handoff press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NFL informed its teams Friday that the salary cap for the upcoming season will be $301.2 million, an increase of $22 million from 2025.

NFL Network reported on Jan. 30 that the 2026 salary cap was projected to land anywhere from $301.2 million and $305.7 million.

The salary cap for 2025 was $279.2 million, which was a $23.8 million increase from the previous year.

The league's rise in prosperity and popularity has been reflected in TV rights deals with its broadcast partners and impacted the annual salary cap, which was $120.37 million in 2011.

The cap has risen yearly since 2011, except for 2021 when the league prioritized recovery from the pandemic, including loss of live attendance gate and concessions profits.

The new league year opens on Wednesday, March 11.

--Field Level Media

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