NFL Sets Minimum Salary Cap, But Teams Await Real Thing

The NFL and players union have agreed to increase the minimum salary cap to at least $180 million for the 2021 season, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported, citing a league source.

An NFL memo obtained by PFT explained that the bump in what teams must spend on salaries has increased from $175 million last season.

“This is not the final Salary Cap for the 2021 League year, which will be set following review of final 2020 revenue figures and other audit and accounting adjustments,” the memo read. “This agreement simply increases the minimum 2021 Salary Cap by $5 million per club, from $175 million to $180 million.”

Initially, the 2021 salary cap was expected to be set at $180 million. But now it appears teams must spend at least that much -- which means the salary cap will be higher than expected.

The memo makes no mention of when the salary cap will be set though, and that is significant. Knowing and creating a budget enables teams to make offers in free agency and to negotiate contracts.