NFL To Raise Salary Cap to $138 Million to $141 Million; Patriots to Benefit

USA Today is reporting that the owners and the league have determined that the league's salary cap should grow to $138 million to $141 million for the 2015 season, up from $133 million in 2014, and a huge leap up from the 2013 cap of $123 million.

As the Patriots currently stand, cornerback Darrelle Revis ($25 million) and linebacker Jerod Mayo ($10.3 million) are pushing the limits of their cap value in 2015. With the cap figure now more tangible than before, look for the Patriots to try and start extending the players to both lower their cap hits and strengthen the roster.

Beyond Revis and Mayo, the Patriots need to work out extensions for a couple key starters. Safety Devin McCourty is due for a large pay day as he's helped stabilize the entire defense over the past few years. 30-year-old kicker Stephen Gostkowski will likely receive a medium-length pact due to his age, but will be well compensated for his ability.

Add in strong safety Pat Chung, linebacker Jonathan Casillas, defensive end Akeem Ayers, guard Dan Connolly, and running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, and the Patriots will have their work cut out to decide which players stay and which players are going to be playing for a different team next year.

With the cap growing, it seems as if the Patriots might be in a position to keep more players than before.