Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NFL landscape shift quietly boosts Packers' long-term outlook as they now find themselves better positioned than many expected

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers are uniquely positioned for the next few years. Most of the top players on the roster are under contract through 2027 or beyond—Josh Jacobs, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Edgerrin Cooper, and Xavier McKinney through 2027; Jordan Love and Matthew Golden through 2028; and right tackle Zach Tom through 2029 after signing his extension this week.

The financial outlook for the team is well established, and it's based on the current salary cap situation of the league. Over the next few years, though, the financial landscape of the NFL can change. According to Andrew Marchand from The Athletic, the league is getting closer to a new agreement with ESPN over its broadcasting rights. Owners have been informed that they should vote about the deal early next month, which was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.

NBC, FOX, CBS, and Amazon have deals in place with the NFL through 2033.

Media contracts are the greatest money resource for the league. Since the salary cap is determined by a percentage of the league's revenue, a big deal like the NFL will get from ESPN has the potential to increase the cap over the next few years.

Salary cap history

Outside of the covid-impacted salary cap in 2021, the league's financial threshold has consistently increased since the 2011 CBA. In 2011, the salary cap was established at $120.375 million. After reaching $198.2 million in 2020, it went down to $182.5 million in 2021, but started to go up again since. In 2025, the cap went from $255.4 million to $279.2 million, a significant 9.32% increase compared to the previous season. Over the past two years, the cap has increased by $54.4 million.

Usually, teams structure contracts considering the increased projection. For example, Jordan Love is making $10.63% of the cap this year, and is slated to make $11.77% of the cap in 2026, $12.57% in 2027, and $19.97% in 2028—an amount projected to force an extension.

Nonetheless, a better deal with media partners is the perfect way for the league to make more money—and as a consequence, for the salary cap to get higher.

For a team with so many building blocks under contract for years to come, this is particularly impactful. New contracts will consider the new projections, but old deals are especially benefited from cap increases. And right now, the Packers are well positioned to take advantage of it.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: