Jan. 30, 2026, 8:55 p.m. ET
The NFL informed the Detroit Lions and the rest of the league’s clubs of its projected 2026 NFL salary cap range.
The NFL revealed to teams that it projects the 2026 salary cap in the range of $301.2 million to $305.7 million per club.
What does that mean for the Lions’ projected salary cap situation and how does it rank in comparison to the rest of the league?
Using the midpoint of the projected 2026 salary cap range ($303.5 million), the Lions are projected to be $8.26 million over the cap according to Spotrac.
Here’s how the Lions’ projected cap space compares to the rest of the NFL:
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Projected 2026 NFL cap spaceTennessee Titans: $99 millionLas Vegas Raiders: $87.8 millionLos Angeles Chargers: $87.2 millionNew York Jets: $82.6 millionSeattle Seahawks: $75.5 millionWashington Commanders: $67.9 millionCincinnati Bengals: $54.6 millionLos Angeles Rams: $46.7 millionPittsburgh Steelers: $44.9 millionArizona Cardinals: $35.6 millionIndianapolis Colts: $34.9 millionNew England Patriots: $33.1 millionDenver Broncos: $27.9 millionAtlanta Falcons: $27.7 millionSan Francisco 49ers: $25.5 millionBaltimore Ravens: $22.6 millionTampa Bay Buccaneers: $14.4 millionCarolina Panthers: $11.6 millionPhiladelphia Eagles: $10 millionNew York Giants: $7 millionGreen Bay Packers: $ -4.3 millionHouston Texans: $ -5.1 millionDetroit Lions: $ -8.2 millionJacksonville Jaguars: $ -9.1 millionBuffalo Bills: $ -9.8 millionChicago Bears: $ -10.6 millionCleveland Browns: $ -19.5 millionMiami Dolphins: $ -23.1 millionDallas Cowboys: $ -31.3 millionMinnesota Vikings: $ -40.6 millionNew Orleans Saints: $ -41.2 millionKansas City Chiefs: $ -57.5 million
The official 2026 NFL salary cap figure will be finalized before the start of the new league year and free agency on March 11.
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