The NFL has set its salary cap for the upcoming season, per reports, with the cap expected to be $182.5 million.
That is a considerable decrease from last season, when the cap was set at $198.2 million, but a drop was expected due to the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, the cap leaves both New York teams in much different financial positioning as the new league year arrives in a week. The Jets will be among the teams with the most room to make significant moves this offseason, while the Giants have some important decisions of their own to settle, with not much room to do so.
With the new salary cap updated, the Jets will have just over $69 million in cap space, $69.225 to be exact, according to Over The Cap. Per Pro Football Network, this Joe Douglas and company at third in the league in terms of cap space, and that number could grow if the Jets make any more cuts in the coming weeks.
The Jets could use that money to acquire offensive weapons around Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson (if they draft him at No. 2) or even a Deshaun Watson if they're able to pull off a blockbuster deal. But if they wanted to make much-needed upgrades to their offensive line, like signing free agent and star center Corey Linsley, they certainly have the financial flexibility to pull it off, and then some.
The Giants, on the other hand, are $7.9 million over the cap, according to Over The Cap, ranking them 25th in the league in terms of cap space. The team is already making moves to try and free up more space, including releasing Cody Core on Tuesday, and many more should be expected in the near future, especially if the team wants to try and bring back defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, who expects to make at least $10 million next season.
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