The NFL is increasing the salary cap for all teams to $305.7 million in 2026, as per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The NFL salary cap has increased nearly every year over the past decade, with a slight decline in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This year, the salary cap jumps from $279 million in 2025, to over $300 million in 2026. The exact number isn’t confirmed yet, but expect it to fall within the range of $300 million to $305 million, as Pelissero reports. On average, over the past decade, the cap has increased by about 7% each year.
NFL Salary Cap History
- 2026: $301.2 million – $305.7 million
- 2025: $279.2 million
- 2024: $255.4 million
- 2023: $224.8 million
- 2022: $208.2 million
- 2021: $182.5million
- 2020: $198.2 million
- 2019: $188.2 million
- 2018: $177.2 million
- 2017: $167 million
- 2016: $155.2 million
As it relates to the Dolphins, this is good news. The Dolphins are well over the salary cap, and are currently projected to have -$30 million in cap space in 2026 (per OverTheCap). An increase in the projected salary cap certainly helps the Dolphins get under that number, but there’s still a long way to go. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill will almost certainly be a post-June 1st cut, which would save the team some money. Linebacker Bradley Chubb, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and guard Austin Jackson are the next three highest earners on the team, and all three of them may not be returning to the Dolphins next year due to financial constraints.
Of course, only general manager John-Eric Sullivan knows what the Dolphins will do. It’s certainly possible that the Dolphins bring back Hill, Chubb, Fitzpatrick, and Jackson, and save money another way. However, don‘t be surprised to see some notable exists this offseason either. One way or another, the Dolphins need to get under the cap.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Tua Tagovailoa, who is far and away the biggest earner on the team, owed nearly $40 million in base salary for 2026. However, due to the structure of the contract, the Dolphins are essentially on the hook for his contract in 2026 and 2027, and would lose nearly $90 million in dead money if they were to release him.
But for now, Tua, along with his high-earning teammates, are all still contractually obligated to play for the Dolphins next season.
