The NFL salary cap has surpassed $300m for the first time in history, with the league setting the spending limit at $301.2m for the 2026 season.
This new figure represents a $22m increase compared to the previous year’s total.
Clubs received the official financial data on Friday and must ensure their payrolls are compliant before the new league year begins on 11 March.
rapid post-pandemic recovery
American football’s financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with the cap surging by 40% over the last five years.
This growth follows a significant downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the limit drop to $182m in 2021 after a season played with limited spectator revenue.
Since that low point, the league has recorded an annual rise of at least $16m, averaging a $24m jump per season.
The most substantial year-on-year growth occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the cap leaped by $31m.
Player costs and franchise tags
When factoring in player benefits alongside salaries, the total projected cost per franchise stands at $378.8m.
The announcement also solidified the values for the franchise tag, a tool used by teams to retain key personnel for one year.
Quarterbacks remain the most expensive position to tag, with the tender set at $43.9m.
Wide receivers command the second-highest figure, with their one-year tag valued at $27.3m.
An NFL general manager has claimed free agent Tyreek Hill is "done" as a top-level player following the wide receiver’s release by the Miami Dolphins.
The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after his contract was terminated by the franchise on 16 February.
However, despite his status as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers over the last decade, executives remain skeptical about his future following a severe knee injury.
Executive doubts over Hill’s future
Speaking to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, an anonymous general manager dismissed the prospect of signing the speedster.
"We aren’t touching him. No chance. We think he’s done," the executive stated.
"He isn’t a difference-maker anymore. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Not even as a vet-minimum guy for us."
The assessment follows a disastrous 2025 campaign where the Georgia native appeared in just four games.
Injury woes and Miami exit
Hill’s season was cut short in Week 4 against the New York Jets after suffering a gruesome knee injury.
The eight-time Pro Bowler underwent surgery the following day to repair a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL.
This setback followed a 2024 season where his production dipped to 959 yards as Miami finished with an 8-9 record.
Prior to that decline, the ‘Cheetah’ had posted consecutive 1,700-yard seasons in South Florida after his high-profile trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
‘Locked in’ on recovery
Despite the outside skepticism, the Super Bowl LIV champion remains defiant regarding his playing career.
Hill posted a message on social media claiming he is fully focused on his rehabilitation.
"Every chapter in life has taught me something. This one taught me leadership, resilience and mostly gratitude," Hill wrote.
"And right now, this offseason, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused. The Cheetah don’t slow down, ever."
However, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter has suggested a return to the field remains distant.
"As great as he was, I don’t think he’s close to being ready this," Schefter told the Pardon My Take podcast.
"He’s going to miss some time to open the year. I think he starts the year out on the physically unable to perform list."
The Dallas Cowboys are set to place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, securing his immediate future with the franchise through the 2026 season.
The decision guarantees the 24-year-old approximately $28m (£22.3m) for the upcoming campaign.
While the tag binds the player to the roster for another year, the possibility of negotiating a long-term extension remains open.
Talks continue at Combine
Representatives for the NFC East club met with the player’s agents at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday.
Sources indicate the discussions were general in nature rather than an in-depth negotiation of terms.
Executive vice-president Stephen Jones had previously stated the organisation was “leaning” toward utilising the tag earlier in the week.
When asked on Thursday if the receiver could remain a Cowboy for the long term, head coach Brian Schottenheimer was optimistic.
“I hope so,” Schottenheimer said.
Instant impact in Texas
Since arriving via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the playmaker has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at AT&T Stadium.
The move involved exchanging late-round draft picks, a deal that has paid immediate dividends for Dallas.
He recorded career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) while playing in every fixture.
These performances earned the former University of Georgia standout a first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honours.
He developed instant chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, notably stepping up when fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb was sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
The receiver set a new franchise record by registering five games with at least 130 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.
Financial hurdles ahead
Securing the talented pass-catcher on a permanent basis could present challenges for the Cowboys’ salary cap management.
Lamb signed a massive extension in 2024 worth $34m annually, a deal that included $100m in guaranteed money.
The front office may be reluctant to commit similar figures to a second receiver as they look to balance the roster over the coming seasons.
Fernando Mendoza says he would relish the chance to be mentored by Tom Brady after meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The presumptive first overall pick in April’s draft spoke briefly by phone with the seven-time Super Bowl champion during his formal interview in Indianapolis.
Brady is a minority owner of the franchise, and the young prospect described the interaction as "very special".
"I mean, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady?" said the former Indiana quarterback on Friday.
"That opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, was the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin."
Learning from a legend
Mendoza emphasized his desire to absorb knowledge from the future Hall of Famer should he land in Nevada.
"To be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much," he said.
"From day one, I have got to learn a lot. It is going to be a long journey."
The Heisman Trophy winner believes having access to such experience would be vital for his development.
"To potentially have a mentor like that, it would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful."
Raiders hold the cards
Las Vegas hold the first selection in the draft after enduring a difficult 3-14 campaign last season.
While Mendoza is the heavy favourite to be selected first, he refused to assume his destination is guaranteed.
"Well, the pick has not been selected yet," Mendoza stated.
"Whatever team drafts me, I am extremely grateful. Whether it’s the number one pick or the last pick in the draft, I’d be blessed."
Chalk talk and silverware
The 20-minute session with the Raiders staff involved reviewing game tape and drawing plays on a whiteboard.
"It was a fantastic interview," Mendoza said. "I thought it was a great meeting, and I know they have the prospective number one pick, but anything can happen."
Mendoza enters the professional ranks following a historic undefeated season in 2025 where he led the Hoosiers to their first national championship.
His dominance was reflected in voting for college football’s most prestigious individual award, appearing on 95.16% of all ballots.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles solidified his status as a top-10 draft prospect with a historic 43.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.
Historic athleticism on display
The 244lb defender recorded the highest leap by an off-ball linebacker at the event since 2003 during Thursday’s workouts in Indianapolis.
Only Cameron Wake’s 45.5-inch effort in 2005 stands superior among linebackers in the last two decades.
The sheer athleticism of the 6ft 5in prospect was further highlighted by a vertical leap surpassing that of Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson.
‘Megatron’ recorded a 42.5-inch jump at the 2007 combine despite playing a position traditionally associated with greater aerial ability.
Speed to match power
Styles also impressed on the track, clocking a blistering 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
That sprint time tied him for the fastest of the night with Buckeyes teammate Arvell Reese, who is currently ranked third on Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board.
To cap a dominant evening, the former safety produced an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump.
This marked the best distance across all defensive linemen and linebackers competing at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Versatility key for Styles
Currently rated as the seventh-best prospect on ESPN’s big board, Styles transitioned to middle linebacker for Ohio State last season.
Speaking earlier in the week, the versatile defender emphasised the importance of adaptability in modern defensive schemes.
“I think I would say that — the great defenses you look at, there’s at least two or three guys who can play a multitude of roles,” Styles said.
“Like for example, this year for the Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori was a versatile player, and when you have guys like that on your defense, you’re able to do a lot of different things as a coordinator.”
The New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
The deal cannot be officially processed until the start of the new NFL league year in March.
Johnson, 27, becomes the third former first-round draft pick to be moved by the franchise in the last four months.
New York previously dealt star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys at last year’s trade deadline.
Saleh reunited with former pass rusher
The move sees the defensive end reunite with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who is entering his first campaign in charge of the Titans.
Johnson was the 26th overall selection in the 2022 draft and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023.
He has recorded 13 sacks in 47 career games and is set to play the 2026 season on his fifth-year rookie option before becoming a free agent in 2027.
Sweat adds size to New York front
Going the other way is 24-year-old Sweat, who was selected by Tennessee in the second round of the 2024 draft.
The 6ft 4in, 366lb interior lineman established himself as the Titans’ primary run stopper last season, finishing with 34 tackles and two sacks.
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has admitted that “everything is on the table” regarding the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, including a potential trade.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Sullivan confirmed the franchise is evaluating all options for the former fifth overall draft pick.
Tagovailoa’s representatives have informed the team that the quarterback intends to continue his playing career.
However, the general manager acknowledged that the team could look to move the 26-year-old, despite recent productive conversations.
“Everything’s on the table right now. It could go in a lot of different ways,” Sullivan said.
“A trade is a possibility, but Tua is aware, his representation is aware.”
Performance struggles and financial hurdles
The left-handed passer endured a difficult campaign last season, culminating in him being benched with three games remaining.
He threw for 20 touchdowns but also recorded a career-high 15 interceptions across 14 appearances.
Complicating any potential move is the four-year, $212.4m (£167m) extension the quarterback signed in 2024.
Releasing Tagovailoa before 1 June would result in an NFL-record $99.2m dead cap hit for the AFC East franchise.
Sullivan noted that absorbing such a financial blow is “possible but not likely” as the organisation weighs its next steps.
“[Tagovailoa’s reps] have expressed that he wants to play and that they still think he can play at a high level,” Sullivan added.
Roster overhaul continues
The uncertainty surrounding the quarterback comes amid a wider restructuring of the Dolphins’ roster.
Sullivan recently released star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb in an effort to make the squad “younger and cheaper”.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick finds himself in a similar position to Tagovailoa, with Sullivan confirming discussions are ongoing with the former All-Pro regarding his future.
Despite the potential exodus of veteran talent, the Dolphins view running back De’Von Achane and receiver Jaylen Waddle as integral to their rebuild.
Sullivan ruled out trading either player, describing Achane as a “marvelous player” whom the team hopes to extend later in the summer.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has confirmed that Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson will compete for the starting quarterback role in 2026.
Speaking at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Berry refused to set a timeline for naming a first-choice passer.
New head coach Todd Monken has also declined to commit to a specific starter following his recent appointment.
“We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon,” Berry said on Tuesday.
“I think any player that we have in that room we would expect to compete to earn a role. Those two would be no different.”
Sanders seeks efficiency
Sanders, selected 144th overall in the 2025 draft, finished the previous campaign with a 3-4 record as a starter.
Despite securing wins in his final two games, the second-year signal caller recorded a Total QBR of just 18.9.
That figure ranks as the fifth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks since data collection began in 2006.
Berry emphasised the need for better decision-making from the young quarterback.
“I think the biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth,” Berry explained.
“I think certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important.”
Watson’s return to fitness
Watson is expected to be available for the 2026 season after rehabilitating a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in October 2024.
The former Houston Texans passer has played only 19 games since Cleveland traded three first-round picks for his services in March 2022.
His performance has also drawn scrutiny, with a Total QBR of 33.1 ranking last in the league among qualifying passers during his tenure in Cleveland.
Financial implications loom large, as Watson carries a league-high $80.7m salary cap hit for the upcoming season.
The franchise is expected to restructure the deal to provide greater flexibility in free agency.
“Deshaun’s been working really hard, he’s been working his tail off,” Berry stated regarding the veteran’s recovery.
Gabriel remains in the frame
While the focus remains on Watson and Sanders, Berry noted that the Browns are also expected to explore the quarterback market this offseason.
However, the organisation has not ruled out Dillon Gabriel, a 2025 third-round pick who started six games during his rookie year.
“He may be forgotten externally, but he’s not forgotten to us,” Berry concluded.