NFL teams, particularly those dealing with tight salary cap restrictions, got some good news on Wednesday. The league's per-team salary cap is about to make another big jump forward in 2025.
The league has informed team officials that the cap limit in 2025 will fall between $277.5 million and $281.5 million per team, a significant increase from last year's figure of $255.4 million. This is the second larger-than-expected increase in a row, as the cap limit has grown more than $53 million since 2023. Prior to the league's reveal on Wednesday, the 2025 cap was widely expected to fall in the $265-$275 million range.
There are currently seven teams that have projected 2025 cap hits over the limit, according to Spotrac, which has been using an estimated cap limit of $275 million. The New Orleans Saints top that list at more than $51 million over. Those teams will have to restructure some contracts and/or release some players to be compliant with the cap limit by the start of the NFL's new league year on March 12, but Wednesday's news at least makes that task a little bit easier.
The Buccaneers are listed as having close to $5.7 million of cap space to start the 2025 season, as the roster is currently constructed. They will be dealing with a list of 22 potential unrestricted free agents, a group headed by standout wide receiver Chris Godwin, ageless linebacker Lavonte David and starting left guard Ben Bredeson. The Buccaneers and Godwin recently agreed to move the date of the automatic voiding of his 2025 contract to March 12 in order to extend the negotiating period on a potential new deal.
