Ranking NFL Teams’ Salary Cap Space for 2024 Training Camp: Who has the Most Flexibility?

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by salary cap space heading into 2024 training camp

The NFL offseason is a whirlwind of activity, with teams constantly making moves to improve their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season. One of the most important factors in a team’s success is their salary cap space, which dictates how much money they have available to spend on players. As we approach the 2024 training camp, it’s a good time to look at where each team stands in terms of salary cap space and how they might use it to their advantage.

The NFL salary cap is a hard limit on how much teams can spend on their players’ salaries each year. This limit is set by the league and is based on a percentage of the league’s total revenue. The salary cap ensures that all teams have a fair chance to compete, as it prevents teams with more resources from simply buying championships.

The Patriots lead the league in salary cap space, with over $40 million available to spend. This gives them a lot of flexibility to make moves in free agency and potentially sign some of the top players available. The Commanders are close behind, with over $30 million in salary cap space. These two teams are in great shape to make a big splash in the upcoming season.

Some teams don’t have as much breathing room in terms of cap space, but they can still be competitive. The Packers and the Vikings, for instance, are both projected to have less than $30 million in cap space, but they have strong rosters and could still make a push for the playoffs.

• The New England Patriots lead the league in salary cap space heading into the 2024 training camp, with over $40 million available.
• The Washington Commanders closely follow the Patriots, boasting over $30 million in salary cap space, positioning them well for potential big moves.
• Teams like the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings may have less than $30 million in cap space but still have strong rosters and could be competitive in the upcoming season.
• Having ample salary cap space provides teams with flexibility to make strategic moves in free agency and potentially sign top players to strengthen their rosters.

Top 10 Teams with the Most Salary Cap Space in 2024

Here are the top 10 teams with the most salary cap space heading into the 2024 training camp:

1. New England Patriots: $43,763,611
2. Washington Commanders: $37,016,953
3. Arizona Cardinals: $35,387,737
4. Detroit Lions: $34,586,715
5. Las Vegas Raiders: $34,098,440
6. San Francisco 49ers: $31,463,497
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: $28,583,599
8. Green Bay Packers: $28,436,607
9. Minnesota Vikings: $27,779,248
10. Los Angeles Rams: $25,166,882

These teams have a lot of flexibility to make moves in free agency and potentially sign some of the top players available. They can also use this cap space to extend contracts of their own players, ensuring that they can keep their core together for the long haul. Teams with a lot of cap space are often considered to be “contenders” as they can afford to bring in talented players to bolster their rosters.

Teams with Limited Salary Cap Space

There are also several teams with limited salary cap space, which can make it difficult for them to compete with teams that have more resources. These teams often have to get creative to find ways to improve their rosters. They may have to rely on finding value in the later rounds of the NFL Draft or on signing players who are considered to be “risky” but have the potential to succeed. They could also restructure contracts to free up cap space.

Here are some of the teams with the least salary cap space heading into the 2024 training camp:

1. New Orleans Saints: -$84,830,800
2. Carolina Panthers: $25,483,547
3. New York Giants: $23,582,799
4. Philadelphia Eagles: $22,807,767
5. Denver Broncos: $22,777,994
6. Atlanta Falcons: $21,698,257
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $21,046,109
8. Seattle Seahawks: $19,593,258
9. Kansas City Chiefs: $17,884,578
10. New York Jets: $15,793,703

These teams may have to get creative with their salary cap management to ensure they can remain competitive. They may need to make tough decisions about who they can afford to keep on their roster. It can be a challenge for teams with less cap space to be competitive, but they still have a chance to succeed. Teams with limited cap space often need to find value in the later rounds of the draft or rely on players on rookie contracts to fill key roles.

Key Factors Affecting Salary Cap Space

There are several factors that can affect a team’s salary cap space. Some of the most important factors include:

1. The NFL Salary Cap: The NFL salary cap is set by the league each year and is based on the league’s total revenue. The salary cap ensures that all teams have a fair chance to compete, as it prevents teams with more resources from simply buying championships. The salary cap is a key factor in determining how much money teams have available to spend on players. The cap is projected to increase to $255,400,000 in 2024, which will give teams more flexibility to spend on players.
2. Player Contracts: Player contracts can have a significant impact on a team’s salary cap space. Long-term contracts for star players can tie up a lot of cap space, making it difficult for teams to sign other players. Teams often use creative contract structures, such as signing bonuses and deferred payments, to spread out the financial impact of contracts. Teams with large amounts of cap space are in a better position to sign star players and keep their core players together.
3. Free Agency: Free agency is a time when players can sign with any team they want. Teams with a lot of salary cap space often use this time to sign some of the top players available. However, teams with limited salary cap space may have to be more selective about the players they sign. Free agency can be a wild ride with big-name players changing teams and players getting massive contracts. The free agency period can significantly impact a team’s cap space and its overall competitiveness.
4. The Draft: The NFL Draft is an important part of the NFL offseason. Teams use the draft to select new players who could become stars. Rookie contracts are typically very affordable, so teams can use the draft to add talent to their rosters without dipping too much into their cap space. The draft can be a great way for teams with less cap space to find value and build a competitive roster. The draft can be a valuable tool for teams that are trying to rebuild or add depth to their roster.
5. Trades: Trades can be a way for teams to acquire players without having to spend a lot of money. Teams can also use trades to shed salary and create cap space. Teams can get creative with trades to bring in new players and create cap space.

By understanding the factors that affect salary cap space, teams can make informed decisions about how to use their resources. Teams need to carefully manage their cap space to ensure they can build a competitive roster. Teams with limited cap space need to be creative and strategic. They need to find ways to add talent without breaking the bank. They also need to be careful about not overspending on players who may not be worth the investment.

Projected Salary Cap Space in 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, the New England Patriots are projected to have the most cap space, with an estimated $96,683,193 in available funds. This is a testament to their smart cap management and strategic moves in recent years. On the other hand, the New Orleans Saints are expected to be in a significant cap hole, with a projected -$84,830,800.

These projections are based on current contracts and the estimated salary cap for 2025. However, things can change quickly in the NFL, and these projections could be altered by trades, contract extensions, and other moves. Teams with a lot of cap space in 2025 will be well-positioned to make a splash in free agency and compete for a championship. Teams with a lot of cap space in 2025 could be in a difficult position. They could be forced to make tough decisions about which players to keep and which players to let go. Teams with a lot of cap space in 2025 will have the financial flexibility to acquire top-tier talent and make a serious run at the championship.

Conclusion

The salary cap is a crucial factor in the NFL. It affects how teams can build their rosters and how they can compete for a championship. Teams with a lot of salary cap space have more flexibility to acquire top players and build a competitive roster. Teams with limited salary cap space need to be more creative and find ways to add talent without breaking the bank. The salary cap is a constant challenge for NFL teams. It forces them to make difficult decisions about how to allocate their resources. But it also helps create a more balanced league where teams with fewer resources have a chance to compete.