NFL salary cap to crest $300 million for first time in league history

NFL teams were informed that they will have some extra cash to spend ahead of free agency.

The 2026 salary cap will increase by $22 million per club to $301.2 million, the NFL announced. Teams were notified of the salary jump on Friday, according to chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. The $301.2 million doesn’t include another $77.6 million in benefits per club.

In January, USA TODAY Sports confirmed a report that the league’s salary cap would balloon to between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team in 2026.

Since the salary cap’s inception in 1994, it has steadily risen from $34 million, topping $100 million in 2006 and $200 million in 2022. The NFL’s salary cap has increased by $266.5 million since its inaugural year.

The 2026 season will mark the first time the salary swelled to over $300 million.

Friday’s news comes within two weeks of when teams can negotiate contracts with players and the NFL’s new league year. Clubs are permitted to contact free agents Monday, March 9 at noon ET. The new league year begins Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

According to Over The Cap, the Tennessee Titans have roughly $97 million in available cap space, an NFL-high. The New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders are the only other teams with over $90 million. The Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders round out the top five teams with the most cap space, with approximately $81 million and $73 million, respectively.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.