The NFL salary cap has increased to $275 million per team for 2026, a $20 million jump from last year driven by record-breaking media deals. Here's how teams are using — and misusing — the extra space.
Winners
Philadelphia Eagles: $45M in cap space allows them to extend Jalen Hurts AND add premium free agents. The best-managed cap in football.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love's reasonable contract leaves room to build around him. $38M available.
Denver Broncos: Finally free from the Russell Wilson dead cap hit. $50M+ to rebuild properly.
Losers
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott's $60M/year deal and CeeDee Lamb's extension leave just $8M in space. No room for depth.
San Francisco 49ers: Multiple mega-deals creating cap stress. May need to trade a key player.
Biggest Contracts
- Patrick Mahomes: $55M/year (still a bargain)
- Joe Burrow: $62M/year (new record)
- Justin Jefferson: $36M/year (receiver reset)