NFL Salary Cap Increase: Jets Get More Money; Thanks, Taylor Swift?
The New York Jets have holes along the offensive line. Thanks to the NFL's record salary cap increase, they also have the funds to fill them.
The league announced Friday that it is officially set raising the salary cap for the 2024 season to $255.4 million, a $30 million increase from last season. In addition, each team will receive $74 million for player benefits, performance bonuses and retired players. Total player costs will be $329 million.
Is some of the windfall due to increased exposure to a new swath of fans thanks to the public relationship between pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce?
Not necessarily. According to the NFL, the unprecedented increase is the result of the full repayment of all amounts advanced by the clubs and deferred by the players during the Covid pandemic as well as an extraordinary increase in media revenue for the 2024 season.
Bottom line: The Jets now have $15 million in salary cap room. They can also create more by cutting players or restructuring contracts.
The biggest imminent decision will be whether to use the franchise tag on elite pass-rusher Bryce Huff.
The Jets also own the No. 10 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.
