NFL Salary Cap Could Keep Increasing by Even More than we Thought

As the New England Patriots decide how to deal with precarious salary cap situations surrounding two of their key veterans with large 2014 cap hits (Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins), there is another interesting factor at play: the salary cap could continue to increase at an unprecedented rate in 2015 and 2016. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com has the details:

When the salary cap jumped from $123 million to $133 million last week, some suggested it could move to $140 million in 2015 and $150 million in 2016.

Think higher.

One source with knowledge of the process (but not the same source who was on the money — pun lame but intended — when providing info about the 2014 cap) tells PFT that the cap could spike to $145 million in 2015 and a whopping $160 million in 2016.

The Patriots are too smart to rely on such an increase since clearly, nothing is guaranteed here. Nonetheless, it’s something to keep in mind if the Patriots want to be major players in free agency in 2014 by extending Wilfork and/or Mankins.