Chris Jones Agrees to Restructure Contract, Reducing Salary to Free Up Cap Space for New Additions in 2025-26—But Travis Kelce Demands a Pay Raise to Bring His Best. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Calls Him Out, ‘Is Kelce Selfish or Justified?’

The NFL is hiking its salary cap once again thanks to another profitable season for the league.

As first reported by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday informed teams the NFL salary cap will be raised to somewhere between $277.5 million to $281.5 million for the 2025 season. That’s a dramatic rise from the $255.4 million salary cap teams faced in 2024 and a $53 million increase over the last two seasons.

In its letter announcing the new salary cap, the NFL explained that a firm figure is not yet finalized because of few deferment options that are being presented to the NFL Players Association. A final figure could be worked out over the next week or so.

Generally speaking, the league salary cap is based on a 48-percent player share of football-related income and then divided by the number of NFL teams: 32.

Several NFL teams should be celebrating the move, although none more than the Kansas City Chiefs, who were facing a number of cap casualties heading into the offseason.

Travis Kelce remains under contract as he ponders retirement, but now the reigning AFC Champions stand a much better chance at keeping Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith regardless of the star tight end’s decision.

Furthermore, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach could have more flexibility to address pressing needs at right and left tackle, as well as a lucrative extension offer for elite cornerback Trent McDuffie.

And it’s not just the league’s bigger fish that have reason to rejoice.

Rebuilding NFL teams such as the New York Giants and Jets as well as the New England Patriots now have even more cap room to work with as they retool their depleted rosters.

No team currently has more cap space than the Patriots, who have more than $120 million to spend in free agency.

The Las Vegas Raiders rank second with more than $95 million, while the resurgent Washington Commanders come in third at more than $80 million.

In addition to Smith, who is expected to be coveted by a number of teams, other top free agents include Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Staley, New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was expected to be the top prize, but is once again expected to receive the franchise tag, tying him to the Queen City for another season.