NFL sets 2017 salary cap at $167 million; Redskins have 5th highest cap amount in league

The NFL has officially released the salary cap numbers for the 2017 season, and the Redskins have a lot of money to work with this season. The Redskins carried over $15,055,131 to this year’s cap. This carryover money gives them the 5th most salary cap space for the 2017 season. The Redskins have almost 20 free agents this year that they will need to make decisions on, and also a number a free agents that will need to be signed to replace departing players.

The Redskins have already re-signed long snapper Nick Sundberg, placed the franchise tag on QB Kirk Cousins, and tendered ERFA OLs Ty Nsekhe and Vinston Painter. They face big decisions on DL Chris Baker, WRs DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, and of course a long-term deal with Cousins.

The salary cap was expected to be in the $166-170 million range this year, and that’s right where the official number falls. The cap has been going up by at least $10 million dollars since 2013 due to money from TV deals being added to the pot.

Salary Cap by year:

2017: $167 million

2016: $155.27 million

2015: $143.28 million

2014: $133 million

2013: $123 million

2012: $120.6 million

According the Overthecap, the Redskins have ~$34.5 million in cap space this year based on the salary cap of $167 million and their carryover, minus their contracts and dead money on the books already(Spotrac has the number at ~$39.5 million). This does not include several key players that could be re-signed including DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Chris Baker, but does have Cousins franchise tag contract included($23.944 million). The Redskins also have several players who could be released after this season for significant cap savings like DeAngelo Hall($4.25 million), Shawn Lauvao($4 million), and others.