Jan. 30, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Indianapolis Colts<\/a> and the rest of the NFL just received some good news as it pertains to the 2026 salary cap figure.<\/p>\n According to the NFL Network<\/a>, the league has notified all 32 teams that the projected salary cap for the 2026 season will be between $301.2 million and $305.7 million.<\/p>\n Compared to the 2025 salary cap, which was set at $279.2 million, that is an increase of over $20 million.<\/p>\n For several years now, the cap has increased at a significant rate. In 2022, the salary cap that year was $208.2 million.<\/p>\n Prior to this news, Over the Cap<\/a> projected that the Colts<\/a> would have $26.9 million in available cap space. That, however, was with a projected salary cap of $295.5 million.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n So instead, the Colts will have between roughly $32 million and $36 million in available cap space.<\/p>\n The opportunity for GM Chris Ballard to further reshape the Colts’ roster in free agency does seem to exist, given the team’s salary cap situation.<\/p>\n When owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon spoke with the media after the season, she mentioned how\u00a0Ballard adapted<\/a>\u00a0his roster-building approach, which included being more aggressive.<\/p>\n