The latest news on the NFL’s salary cap situation doesn’t come without some further confusion and curiosity… but there is a sliver of good news for the Bills.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the upcoming 2021 salary cap could be higher than the $175 million “floor” previously set by the league. Per the report: “Some team officials believe (and surely hope) the cap will ultimately land closer to $185 million per club — if not a little higher.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing financial problems for the NFL in 2020, the salary cap for next season was projected to drop and the league and players association agreed to a cap floor of $175M, meaning it will not go lower than that. However, the latest news gives teams like the Bills a bit of optimism that it will be higher than that floor.
Typically the cap increases every year. In 2020, it was set at $198.2 million.
In the case of the Bills, according to Spotrac, Buffalo would be over the salary cap by about $6M if it had been set at the floor. Therefore, this $10M potential addition could get the Bills over it.
Having said that, Buffalo would still have little room to add new players and re-sign others. General manager Brandon Beane would still have a tough task ahead of him.
On top of that, the extra space would be added to every team, not just the Bills. Others could use that to potential extra sign away players the Bills wanted.
Additionally in Thursday’s report, the NFL might not have a finalized number for a couple of more weeks. Free agency negotiations begin on March 15 and according the latest update: “Teams may find out the number just days before.”
Front offices around the league have their work cut out for them.
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