Finally, some much-needed clarity to the NFL’s salary cap picture.
Mike Florio (PFT), Ian Rapoport (NFL Network), and Adam Schefter (ESPN) are hearing the NFL’s 2021 salary cap number has been set at $182.5 million.
That number is $2.5 million more than was previously expected weeks ago when the league set the floor at $180 million. And it’s certainly a rosier picture than the $175 million that was projected last summer. But it’s a significant decrease from the $198.2 million cap that was set in 2020. Moreover, it is far less than the $208 million teams likely expected before the COVID-19 pandemic through the world (and the pro sports landscape) for a loop. Remember, the NFL’s cap had increased by $10 million in each of the last seven years. So this is a $25.5M drop relative to pre-COVID expectations for 2021.
So, where does this leave the Bears? In short, they’ve got plenty of work to do.
Spotrac estimates the team is $22,547,958 million over a $182.5 million cap. However, the site notes the Bears have $190 million in total cap spending after including rollover cap space from the previous season.
Adjusted salary caps for each 2021 #NFL team per the confirmed $182.5M league cap. These represent each team's total cap ceiling after including rollover & adjustments from the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/50Zw0xVPTL
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 10, 2021
Even with those adjustments, Chicago’s football team is in quite a predicament. This team has a flurry of needs, but can’t go about addressing them properly until it gets under the cap. And in order to do so, GM Ryan Pace and cap guru Joey Laine will have to make tough decisions on popular, high-priced players. Oh … and they have a week to do it. The new league year begins on March 17.
Buckle up, Bears fans. Player movement is coming.
Of course, they’re not alone. Ten teams are over the cap as of today, and the Bears are hardly in the *worst* position.
The #Saints have until March 17 to get under the salary cap.
They're currently around $55 million over it.
Other teams over the cap:#Rams – $29M#Eagles $25M#Bears – $20M#Chiefs – $18M#Falcons – $11M#Packers – $5M#Giants – $5M#Vikings – $1M#Bucs – $400,00
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 10, 2021