Saturday, October 17, 2026

NFL Salary Cap Rises to Record $224.8M for 2023

  • It’s a significant raise from 2022’s $208.2 million cap — which was also a record.
  • The 2021 cap dipped to $182.5M due to pandemic-related shortfalls.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The NFL has seemingly completely recovered from its pandemic-related shortfalls and then some, to the tune of a record salary cap.

On Monday, the league informed teams that the salary cap for the 2023 season would be $224.8 million per team — a new high after 2022’s $208.2 million record, per multiple reports.

Due to decreased revenue due to the 2020 COVID-affected season, the 2021 cap decreased to $182.5 million after reaching a then-record $198.2 million in 2020. After two huge increases in a row, the NFL appears to be back on track.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero points out that the collective bargaining agreement is a revenue-sharing deal that has added enough value from the NFL’s new 17th regular season game and new media contracts to justify continuous raises in the salary cap.

One of the league’s new revenue streams is coming from Google, who just agreed to take on the league’s “NFL Sunday Ticket” package for a reported $2 billion per season — with the possibility to rise to $3 billion annually by the end of the seven-season deal.

With the new salary cap number, teams will begin navigating free agency.

Per Spotrac, the Chicago Bears — holders of the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft — are in the best position to do so with a total cap hit of just $135.7 million.

Conversely, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast the current highest cap hit in the league at $285.5 million.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Reinstates Josh Jacobs, Jonathon Cooper From Paid Leave

Each player missed six games while on the commissioner-exempt list.
Troy Aikman
Exclusive

Troy Aikman, Dolphins Have No Ongoing Consulting Agreement

Aikman’s official role ended with the coach and GM searches.

Jags Eye First London Sweep As U.K. Future Remains Uncertain

The Jaguars host the Texans after beating the Eagles.
Oct 9, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake walks off the field after a win over the Iowa State Cyclones at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

BYU Outperforming Its Budget As Notre Dame Showdown Arrives

Cougars coach Kalani Sitake has openly pushed for more resources.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

NBA’s In-Game Wearables Push Hinges on How Data Is Used

Adam Silver acknowledges concerns about data being used in contract negotiations.
October 16, 2026

EuroLeague Sets $9B Valuation Target in 10-Year Plan

The league’s “value is growing very rapidly,” its CFO said.
October 16, 2026

FIFA to Reconsider Peace Prize After Trump Received Inaugural Award

FIFA’s Football Social Responsibility Committee will assess the prize’s future.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
Aug 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream partner Renee Montgomery watches a game against the Washington Mystics in the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
October 16, 2026

Renee Montgomery: Moving Finals Games Was a ‘Group Project’

Montgomery didn’t confirm whether Game 6 would be played at State Farm Arena.
October 15, 2026

Small-Market Brewers Clinch First NL Pennant

Milwaukee is advancing to its first World Series since 1982.
October 15, 2026

WNBA Finals Ticket Prices Soar Above Last Year’s Levels

The get-in price for Game 1 in San Francisco is over $200.
October 15, 2026

Charley Hull: LPGA Needs to ‘Show More Personalities’

The Englishwoman has one of the sport’s largest social media followings.