The NFL is set to see yet another massive increase in the salary cap for next season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL’s 2020 salary cap is projected to be between $196.8 million and $201.2 million. That would be an increase of at least $8.6 million up to $13 million from the 2019 salary cap.
While projections are far from the final number, it gives the Baltimore Ravens and the rest of the league a good foundation of where to base their offseason strategies.
After transforming their roster over the last few seasons to get younger and cheaper, Baltimore will enter the offseason with a good deal of cap space at this rate. If the upper projection holds true, the Ravens will have an estimated $52.7 million in 2020 salary cap space, according to Over The Cap.
This is a huge positive for general manager Eric DeCosta, who has done great work this season with far less available funds. In spite of entering the season with an estimated $13.3 million in cap space, DeCosta has been able to extend several players (Marshal Yanda, Justin Tucker, Willie Snead and others), sign impact free agents during the season and pull off a trade for cornerback Marcus Peters. The Ravens are doing so well, largely thanks to the work DeCosta has done to bolster the roster without breaking the bank.
However, Baltimore has a handful of key free agents they’ll be attempting to re-sign this offseason. Outside linebacker Matthew Judon, center Matt Skura and Peters will likely all command near top dollar for their respective positions, which will eat into some of the Ravens salary cap space. But with the magic DeCosta has pulled off on a budget, it’ll be interesting to see what he can make work with a fuller wallet.
