Moving on from the Covid endemic, the NFL’s salary cap for 2022 is resuming its normal upward trend line. This year it will be set at $208.2 million, marking more than a slight increase from the previous seasons.
In case you did not know, the cap is going up from $182.5 million — which was down by nearly $10 million from the 2020 season.
Again. Covid.
But now that it is over, the money will flow again.
Once everything is factored in, teams will be allowed to have a total player cost of $284.367 million.
Also with the change in budget comes an update in the franchise tag situations.
Quarterbacks, naturally, will have the highest franchise tag hit at $29.7 million.
The second-highest tag price is for linebacker at $18.7 million, followed closely by wide receivers ($18.4 million), and defensive ends ($17.85 million). Then come defensive tackles ($17.39 million), cornerbacks ($17.28 million), offensive linemen ($16.66 million), safeties ($12.91 million), tight ends ($10.93 million), running backs ($9.57 million) and kickers ($5.22 million).
Teams have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to apply franchise tags, while some clubs already have done so, and the deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach a long-term contract with a team is July 15.
Make some money, boys.