Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to pass during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Report: Cowboys restructure three contracts, under salary cap

The Dallas Cowboys are in compliance with the 2026 salary cap of $301.2 million following a series of contract restructures, according to multiple reports.

Dallas worked to restructure contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and offensive lineman Tyler Smith, ESPN reported.

Before the moves, Dallas was nearly $55 million over the cap. These moves reportedly save approximately $66 million in cap space, dropping all three players to base salaries below $2 million for 2026 while converting the rest into signing bonuses.

Prescott previously had a base salary of $40 million for the 2026 season, while Lamb’s was just over $20 million and Smith had a $10.5 million salary.

There is a future impact on these moves, increasing the future cap hits of these players’ contracts. Prescott’s cap hit is now over $75 million in 2027 and over $85 million in 2028.

More restructured deals could be on the way for Dallas. GM Jerry Jones said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team intends to restructure the contracts of defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuma.

This trio is projected to account for a combined $63 million against the 2026 cap. Reworking their deals would create even more space for an aggressive free-agency push which Jones had hinted at Dallas making this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the Super Bowl LX host committee handoff press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL boosts salary cap to $301.2M in 2026

The NFL informed its teams Friday that the salary cap for the upcoming season will be $301.2 million, an increase of $22 million from 2025.

NFL Network reported on Jan. 30 that the 2026 salary cap was projected to land anywhere from $301.2 million and $305.7 million.

The salary cap for 2025 was $279.2 million, which was a $23.8 million increase from the previous year.

The league’s rise in prosperity and popularity has been reflected in TV rights deals with its broadcast partners and impacted the annual salary cap, which was $120.37 million in 2011.

The cap has risen yearly since 2011, except for 2021 when the league prioritized recovery from the pandemic, including loss of live attendance gate and concessions profits.

The new league year opens on Wednesday, March 11.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with head coach Andy Reid after a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs save $43M under 2026 cap by adjusting QB Patrick Mahomes’ contract

The Kansas City Chiefs saved more than $43 million under the 2026 salary cap by restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ deal this week.

Multiple outlets reported the specifics of the base salary conversion from $54.45 million to a 2026 signing bonus to bring his cap number for the coming league year down to $34.65 million from $78.2 million.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner, is recovering from surgery in December to repair a torn ACL and plans to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. He also has won two NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

The benefit of the restructure does have repercussions down the line.

Kansas City transfers more than $10 million to future cap hits on the Mahomes deal, which expires in 2031. His 2027 cap hit jumps to $85 million.

Mahomes, 30, signed a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020. The Chiefs can counter the rising cap figures by extending his contract. Mahomes will be 36 when his current deal expires.

–Field Level Media

Report: NFL salary cap rising to as much as $305.7M in 2026

NFL teams were informed on Friday that the 2026 salary cap is projected to increase from 2025’s record ceiling to between $301.2 million and $305.7 million, NFL Network reported.

This season, clubs each had a limit of $279.2 million, a $23.8 million increase from 2024. The projected number for next season is a boost of more than $20 million and almost $100 million more than the cap of $208.2 million in 2022, when it first crossed the $200 million barrier.

The league’s rise in prosperity and popularity has been reflected in TV rights deals with its broadcast partners and impacted the annual salary cap, which was $120.37 million in 2011.

The cap has risen yearly since 2011, except for 2021 when the league prioritized recovery from the pandemic, including loss of live attendance gate and concessions profits.

–Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks at plays with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, center, and head coach Andy Reid against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Reports: Chiefs clear $49.4M with Mahomes, Jones restructures

In a race to become compliant with the 2025 salary cap before 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Chiefs restructured their largest contracts and cleared more than $49 million, according to multiple reports.

The Chiefs had largely already spent that money but deals are not official until the start of the league year on Wednesday afternoon.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes revised his deal for the fourth time since 2021. His contract value of $450 million is tops in the NFL and the deal runs through the 2031 season. The 29-year-old shifted approximately $23 million of his salary, which would fit almost precisely with the franchise tag value for retaining guard Trey Smith.

Mahomes has base salaries in 2026 ($45.4 million) and 2027 ($45.8 million) that are 4.5 times higher than his $9.8 million salary last season.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones signed a five-year, $158.8 million contract in 2024 and has a restructure bonus of $27.5 million on the books for 2025.

In addition to using the franchise tag to retain top free agent Smith, the Chiefs agreed to deals with free agent offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (49ers), cornerback Kristian Fulton (Chargers) and running back Elijah Mitchell (49ers) and re-signed linebacker Nick Bolton and wide receiver Hollywood Brown.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after a sack against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Reports: Falcons to release DT Grady Jarrett, saving $16.25M

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will be released by the Atlanta Falcons in a cap-related move, his agent confirmed to multiple outlets.

The Falcons would save up to $16.25 million in salary cap space by parting with Jarrett, a centerpiece of the Atlanta defense since he was drafted by the team in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.

Jarrett will turn 32 on the weekend of the 2025 NFL Draft and played in all 17 games in 2024 after missing the final nine games of the 2023 season due to a torn ACL.

General manager Terry Fontenot said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month that Jarrett wasn’t “untouchable” but also indicated the door would be open for his return if the Falcons released him. Fontenot was the team’s GM in 2022 when the Falcons signed him to a contract extension through 2026.

Jarrett started 137 regular-season games — and five playoff games — with Atlanta and recorded 496 tackles, 77 tackles for loss, 36.5 sacks, forced five fumbles and recovered three. He played in a total of 157 games, including postseason.

–Field Level Media

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bills part ways with former All-Pro Von Miller

The Buffalo Bills released three-time All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller on Sunday.

The move clears $8.4 million in salary cap space for the Bills, who reportedly are open to bringing back Miller for the upcoming season.

Miller, who turns 36 on March 26, signed a six-year, $120 million contract prior to the 2022 season. He restructured his contract last season, absorbing a pay cut to save the Bills $8.6 million in cap space.

While with Buffalo, Miller sustained a significant ACL injury in the Thanksgiving 2022 game against the Detroit Lions and was suspended four games due to violating for the NFL’s personal conduct policy last season.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl 50 MVP, Miller has recorded 129.5 sacks and 581 tackles in 186 career games (161 starts) with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Bills. He was selected second overall by the Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs from Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns restructure Deshaun Watson’s contract, clear cap space

Amid a salary cap crunch, the Cleveland Browns have renegotiated quarterback Deshaun Watson’s salary, clearing nearly $36 million of cap space, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

With free agency opening next week, the Browns needed to clear $23 million in cap space to become cap compliant. And that made Watson’s $72.7 million cap hit in 2025 a target.

Spotrac reported the Browns converted $44.745 million of his salary into a restructure bonus, leaving Watson with a base salary of $1.255 million. The 2027 season also was voided.

The Browns acquired Watson and a sixth-round draft pick on March 18, 2022, in a trade with the Texans, sending three first-round draft picks, a third-round pick and two four-round picks to Houston.

The team completed the trade despite Watson being investigated in Houston after about two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct. He signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns.

Watson, 29, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection with Houston, but a bust in Cleveland.

Because of an NFL suspension following the investigation and assorted injuries, Watson has played in just 19 games (of 51 possible) in three seasons in Cleveland and is 9-10 as a starter. He is expected to miss the 2025 season as he recovers from a second surgery for a torn Achilles.

With the Browns, Watson has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; A general overall view as NFC quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions (16) throws the ball on the NFL shield logo at midfield under pressure from AFC safety Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers (3) during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL sets 2025 salary cap at $279.2M, a $23.8M jump

NFL teams were informed on Thursday that the 2025 salary cap will be a record $279.2 million per club, a $23.8 million increase from last season.

The NFL and the players association agreed to the number that the 32 teams must be under when the new league year begins on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET.

It had been previously reported that this year’s cap would be somewhere between $277.5 and $281.5 million.

The biggest factors contributing to the cap’s climb are the league’s most recent TV rights deals with its broadcast partners.

The cap has risen annually since 2011, except for 2021 when the league prioritized recovery from the pandemic, including loss of live attendance gate and concessions profits.

In 2011, the cap was $120.37 million. It crossed the $200 million barrier in 2022 at $208.2 million and was at $255.4 million last season.

–Field Level Media

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys G Zack Martin adjusts contract for cap relief

Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin restructured his contract with the Dallas Cowboys to provide the franchise roughly $13 million under the 2024 salary cap, according to multiple reports.

Martin received an amended contract prior to the 2023 season that included $36 million guaranteed and made him third in the NFL in annual salary at his position. Martin’s contract is scheduled to expire after the upcoming season, but his new deal includes three voidable years to allow for spreading out a dead-money charge over multiple seasons, ESPN reported Friday.

Martin turns 34 in November, and the Cowboys expect changes on the offensive line with left tackle Tyron Smith likely to move on after spending 10 seasons on the same front five as Martin, a first-round pick in 2014.

Smith was drafted in the first round in 2011 and has played only for the Cowboys during his NFL career.

–Field Level Media