Per a memo that went to teams, the 2021 salary cap will be set at a minimum of $180 million (up from $175 million).
This isn’t the final cap. Just the new minimum. pic.twitter.com/L0wtC8GuGv
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 18, 2021
The Green Bay Packers and 31 other teams can rejoice: $5 million or more in salary cap space will be available in 2021.
According to Albert Breer of MMQB, the NFL sent out a memo informing teams the salary cap floor during the coming league year will be at least $180 million and possibly more, based on a final review of 2020 revenue.
Previously, the NFL had agreed to set the salary cap floor at $175 million due to revenue lost during the coronavirus pandemic. The new figure gives teams some clarity on where they need to be and what they have to work with by the start of the new league year.
Any increase is good news for the Packers, who still need to shed salary to get under the cap in 2021. But with an extra $5 million or more to play with, the Packers might not have to be quite as aggressive in making contract or roster adjustments over the next month. General manager Brian Gutekunst said last month that he was confident he wouldn’t need to gut his team during this offseason.
The NFL confirmed that the $180 million figure is not the final cap and only a floor, leaving open the possibility of the final cap rising more.
Even with a $180 million salary cap, the Packers will need to shed around $20 million by the start of the new league year on March 17.
