With 2020 free agency set to open next Wednesday, a crucial detail is now being made clear. As it has for several years for now, the NFL’s salary cap will increase to $198.2 million this year. This is a $10 million increase from 2019.
This increase isn’t unexpected, and is in keeping with the pattern of change going back several years now.
The 2020 NFL salary cap will reportedly be $198.2 million. It was $188.2 million last year. The Cowboys are among the teams with the most cap space, around $70 million. But they still have to pay Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, etc.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 15, 2020
NFL salary cap by year:
2014: $133.0M
2015: $143.3M
2016: $155.3M
2017: $167.0M
2018: 177.3M
2019: $188.2MAnd now for 2020: $198.2M
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2020
While the $10 million increase was expected, the finalization of this detail along with this morning’s approval of the new collective bargaining agreement will help push along contract negotiations with major free agents. This is imperative for the Dallas Cowboys, who are hoping to have deals worked out theirs before next week’s deadlines.
The franchise tag must be assigned to players by noon on Monday. Free agency is set to begin on Wednesday at 4:00 pm.
While these deadlines may still change to concerns around COVID-19, the NFL has not yet indicated it wants to alter its offseason schedule anymore than it already has. Getting the CBA done today pushes things further in that direction.
For the Cowboys, hopefully this more solid footing will allow them to finalize deals and decisions on players like Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper in short order.
Business is definitely picking up for the NFL as next week is charging toward us.
