Texans could have 3rd-largest salary cap space

The NFL officially set the salary cap for 2019 on Friday, and the number is close to $190 million.

Officially, the salary cap for 2019 is $188.2M.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2019

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the increase shows about a $10 million per year bump per team.

Up from $177.2 million in 2018. Sixth consecutive year the cap has gone up at least $10 million per club, thanks to continued revenue growth. https://t.co/6yDzZoVm7n

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 1, 2019

According to Over The Cap, the Texans now have $80.9 million in cap space, the third-highest in the NFL. However, Spotrac shows the Texans have the fifth-largest cap space, even with the $188.2 million official salary cap, at $74.8 million.

Regardless of how the numbers shake out, the Texans have plenty of cap space to figure things out with expiring contracts, chiefly that of edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. Houston also has to figure out how to bring back safety Tyrann Mathieu and if they want to retain the services of defensive back Kareem Jackson, who will be 31 years old come Week 1 of his 10th professional season.