As the dust settles on another thrilling Super Bowl, it's time to shift focus to the 2026 NFL season. The NFL Combine might be the unofficial kickoff for fans, but the real action starts mid-March when the new league year begins. Between now and then, teams are racing against the clock to get their financial houses in order and comply with the salary cap.
After the Super Bowl, teams receive a projected salary cap figure, which gets finalized during the Combine. This gives franchises a tight two-week window to maneuver from being over the cap to under it. Failure to comply by the start of the new league year means no new player contracts, potential voiding of current deals, and hefty penalties, including fines and lost draft picks.
So, what does the salary cap landscape look like for 2026?
Understanding the NFL Salary Cap
The cap is a product of the NFL's revenue-sharing model, where 48% of the league's revenue is earmarked for player salaries. This figure is then divided among the 32 teams. The cap has been on a steady upward trajectory, jumping from $255.4 million in 2024 to $279.2 million in 2025, and now breaking the $300 million barrier at $301.2 million for 2026.
Deadline and Compliance
Teams must be cap compliant by March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, marking the start of the new league year. Any deals struck before this time remain unofficial until the deadline passes.
Salary Cap Space by Team
Here's a snapshot of where each team stands with their cap space heading into the offseason:
- Titans: $94,864,659
- Raiders: $89,222,807
- Jets: $88,792,313
- Chargers: $85,632,941
- Commanders: $71,353,969
- Seahawks: $59,579,461
- Bengals: $50,709,671
- Steelers: $42,643,582
- Rams: $42,041,855
- Patriots: $40,398,596
- 49ers: $38,905,176
- Cardinals: $36,882,426
- Colts: $33,418,489
- Broncos: $26,385,734
- Buccaneers: $21,148,710
- Ravens: $19,743,387
- Eagles: $13,762,388
- Panthers: $10,274,504
- Falcons: $9,117,519
- Giants: $1,047,721
- Browns: $910,721
- Dolphins: $881,563
- Packers: -$3,866,657
- Chiefs: -$5,595,166
- Bills: -$6,142,334
- Bears: -$6,415,355
- Texans: -$7,208,295
- Saints: -$10,587,060
- Lions: -$11,941,148
- Jaguars: -$15,784,805
- Vikings: -$45,506,353
- Cowboys: -$56,133,904
Impact on Free Agency
With the most cap space, the Tennessee Titans have a golden opportunity to reshape their roster. Under new head coach Robert Saleh, they might look to bolster their offense around second-year QB Cam Ward.
On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys face a daunting task, needing to trim over $56 million. They'll need to explore cuts and contract restructures to navigate this financial tightrope.
As the new league year approaches, teams are in a flurry of activity, making strategic moves that could define their seasons. With the stakes this high, every decision counts.