NFL teams received unexpected but welcome news on Wednesday as the league announced that the 2025 salary cap will be between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, a massive increase from last year’s $255.4 million. The salary cap increase was expected, the amount it is increasing was a surprise to NFL executives, Graziano said.
The NFL informed teams today that the 2025 salary cap will be roughly $277.5M-$281.5M, per @DanGrazianoESPN.
That's an increase of $22.1M-$26.1M from last year — and beats what most executives were anticipating. 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/gnqFiBvGlH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 19, 2025
The Salary Cap Effect
The increase in the salary cap limit offers great news for teams trying to change themselves during free agency. The New England Patriots already had more than $125 million projected in cap space, all the more opportunity for them to add talent. Meanwhile, teams like the New Orleans Saints—who were more than $60 million over the cap—will find it easier to get under the limit without making drastic cuts.
The biggest beneficiaries, however, might be the free agents set to hit the market. With teams having extra cap space, bidding wars could drive up salaries for impact players. Expect Tee Higgins, if not franchise-tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, or Sam Darnold, if not re-signed by the Minnesota Vikings, now to be the major beneficiaries of this unanticipated salary cap windfall.
Also Read: “Put The League on Notice” Commanders Linked to NFL’s Top Free Agent
The cap is up by more than $53 million over the past two years and shows no signs of letting up. With free agent action just a month away, teams will now have the means to pursue upper-tier talent. This sets the stage for possibly one of the most competitive offseasons we’ve seen in a long time.
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