In December, it was reported that the NFL’s salary cap for 2020 would be anywhere between $196.8 million to $201.2 million per team, and now with the NFLPA voting to approve a new CBA, we now know the exact number.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the NFL Management Council informed all 32 teams that the salary cap will be set for $198.2 million per organization.
The NFL Management Council just informed team officials the salary cap will be $198.2 million per club in 2020, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2020
The news of the league’s salary cap comes as the new league year is still scheduled to begin Wednesday, March 25. However, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the league and players union are currently discussing the matter as it isn’t solely up to the NFL.
As for the start off the league year and free agency still set to begin on Wednesday: NFL officials are currently discussing this with the union now. It’s not the NFL’s unilateral decision. Clarity coming soon.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2020
The increase marks a rise of $10 million as the salary cap was set at $188.2 million last year. With Yannick Ngakoue’s franchise tag factored in, that would put the Jags at an estimated $12.4 million, according to Spotrac.
Heading into free agency, the Jags are expected to cut a few more players like tight end Geoff Swaim and receiver Marqise Lee and if those transactions are completed the Jags would be at approximately $21.4 million. If Ngakoue is traded as some suspect, the Jags would add a projected amount of $18 million, which is an approximation of the non-exclusive franchise tag amount. Add that in with the releases of Swaim and Lee and the Jags would have an estimated $39.4 million in available cap space according to Spotrac’s calculations.
The Jags could add an additional four million by releasing veteran Abry Jones then another $3.1 million if there are any willing suitors to take quarterback Nick Foles in a trade. So in other words, the key will be to get Ngakoue’s cap hit of their books through a trade or extension, and if they can, they’ll be in good shape this offseason.