The NFL salary cap in 2021 has a new floor.
Mike Garafolo, NFL Network, reported Thursday that the NFL said in a memorandum to teams that the salary cap has been increased from $ 175 million to $ 180 million after talks with the NFLPA, according to sources informed of the situation.
‘As you know, one aspect of the agreements reached with the NFLPA last summer to address the pandemic operations is that the 2021 salary cap will not be less than $ 175 million. for the 2021 season, we agreed to increase the minimum salary ceiling for the league year 2021 to $ 180 million.
“This is not the final salary limit for the 2021 league year, which will be determined after the review of final income figures for 2020 and other audit and accounting adjustments. This agreement increases the minimum salary limit of 2021 by $ 5 million per club, from $ 175 million to $ 180 million.
“We will advise all clubs immediately once the salary cap is set.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc, the salary cap is expected to drop significantly from the $ 198.2 million budget by 2020. After years of increasing by tens of millions of dollars, the drop is expected to be depressing. The new floor reduces some of the decline.
Until the official limit is set, teams will not know exactly how much space they will have to deal with in 2021 with free agency. At the very least, the new floor gives clubs a starting point to plan ahead for the new league. year, which opens on March 17.