The NFL has announced that the salary cap for the upcoming 2025 season will fall between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, marking a substantial increase of up to $26 million from the previous year. This development brings about various implications for teams across the league.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, the salary cap increase is particularly significant as they aim to secure receiver Tee Higgins with a long-term contract. Similarly, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold, while the Kansas City Chiefs are considering bringing back guard Trey Smith. The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, are also poised to benefit from the higher cap as they seek to retain linebacker Zack Baun.
Conversely, several teams are facing challenges due to their projected cap situations. The Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns are among those who may need to make adjustments to comply with the new salary cap. The New Orleans Saints, however, are in the most precarious position, being over $50 million above the projected cap for 2025.
The NFL salary cap has been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years. In 2024, it was set at $255.4 million, representing a significant increase from the previous year. The current projected range for 2025 is a result of ongoing negotiations between the league and the NFL Players Association. The players union has the option to recover up to 50% of $9 million in deferred payments from 2024, with the remainder to be recouped in 2026. The final cap figure is expected to be determined in the coming week.
Notably, the NFL's salary cap has more than doubled since 2009 when it stood at $123 million. In 2019, the cap was $188.2 million, underscoring the substantial growth in financial resources available to teams over the past decade.
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