NFL sets $182.5M salary cap for 2021

The NFL salary cap has been set at $182.5M, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). This marks a sizable (though expected) drop from last year’s $198.2M limit.

Teams will not be allowed to borrow cap room from future years, per the CBA, so they are basically stuck with the hard cap and difficult choices ahead. However, teams do have other ways to navigate the cap, including rollover from 2020, post-June 1 cuts and contract restructuring.

With the new salary cap, the league has also determined the values of this year’s franchise tag tenders (Twitter link):

• Quarterback $25.104M
• Running Back $8.655M
• Tight End $9.601M
• Offensive Lineman $13.754M
• Defensive End $16.069M
• Defensive Tackle $13.888M
• Linebacker $14.791M
• Cornerback $15.06M
• Kicker/Punter $4.482M

Here’s the full rundown of this year’s franchise tags, including players on repeat tags who receive a 20% increase:

• Giants DL Leonard Williams $19.35M
• Washington G Brandon Scherff $18.03M
• Bears WR Allen Robinson $18M
• Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin $15.98M
• Jaguars OT Cam Robinson $13.75M
• Panthers OT Taylor Moton $13.75M
• Broncos S Justin Simmons $13.73M
• Jets S Marcus Maye $10.61M
• Saints S Marcus Williams $10.61M