NFL Rumors: Teams Budget for $265-275M Salary Cap for 2025 Ahead of Official Reveal | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

NFL teams tentatively expect the 2025 salary cap to be between $265 million and $275 million, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

That would be a slight increase from the $255.4 million teams must spend this season.

“The cap is actually expected to increase from $255.4 million this year, according to sources,” Rapoport and Pelissero said. “But the magnitude of that increase may not be clear for months. The league and union traditionally complete their accounting and agree on the final figure around the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place in late February and early March in Indianapolis.”

Insiders added that the team’s staff was “frustrated” by the general uncertainty surrounding the cap.

The NFL Scouting Combine runs from February 24 to March 3. The deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag or transition tag to their players is March 4, and the free agency negotiating window opens on March 10.

There isn’t much time between when general managers know for sure the salary cap and when they start using the space they have, so the frustration is understandable.

Among fans, the level of enthusiasm for free agency is somewhat dampened by the fact that a big-name quarterback is not expected to hit the market. Sam Darnold, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson headline.

However, wide receiver Tee Higgins, safety Jevon Holland, guard Trey Smith and cornerback DJ Reed should generate plenty of intrigue.