Ranking all 32 NFL teams (including the Steelers) by cap space after historic increase

Life is good for the NFL. The best evidence of this is the huge increase in salary cap of $30.6 million to a record-high of $255.4 million. This gave all teams quite a bit more space than originally expected.

The Pittsburgh Steelers head into free agency with $8 million in cap space. This is the second-smallest amount of cap space among teams not still in the negative. There are still several cap cuts Pittsburgh could make as well as a handful of restructures that should help free up even more space and let the Steelers be active in free agency.

Here is where all 32 stand in terms of cap space including the seven teams that are still in the red per Over the Cap.

1

New England Patriots - $101,771,054

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones runs with the ball during the second quarter on Sunday.LEDE 3

2

Washington Commanders - $91,542,471

Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) runs past Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3

Chicago Bears - $78,677,957

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears throws the ball down the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field on November 8, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

4

Tennessee Titans - $75,817,844

Nov 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) passes against pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

5

Indianapolis Colts - $70,292,419

Dec 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) passes the ball in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

6

Houston Texans - $70,000,173

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hits C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans after Stroud’s attempted pass during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

7

Arizona Cardinals - $56,842,512

Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) escapes the pass rush of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

8

Detroit Lions - $52,542,221

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) makes a pass against New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

9

Cincinnati Bengals - $48,551,440

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) evades a sack from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) in the third quarter of of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Bengals won 37-30.Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Week 11

10

Las Vegas Raiders - $42,035,109

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the Las Vegas Raiders avoids a sack by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

11

Philadelphia Eagles - $41,916,729

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

12

Los Angeles Rams - $40,873,495

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 22: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against Russ Yeast #2 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

13

Atlanta Falcons - $37,647,401

Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $37,613,002

TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 11: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass in the direction of David Perales #40 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

15

Carolina Panthers - $35,003,547

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

16

Minnesota Vikings - $34,751,005

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

17

New York Giants - $32,606,580

Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates with quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

18

Jacksonville Jaguars - $29,233,712

Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a touchdown pass while under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

19

New York Jets - $20,705,353

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Trevor Siemian #14 of the New York Jets throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

20

Green Bay Packers - $13,628,514

Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) as defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) gets a hand on him during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

21

Baltimore Ravens - $12,536,619

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rolls out to pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

22

Seattle Seahawks - $12,167,477

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 31: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field on December 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

23

Pittsburgh Steelers - $7,999,755

Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) in between plays against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

24

Cleveland Browns - $6,799,577

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) reacts after recording a sack against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 26-22. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

25

Kansas City Chiefs - $3,462,361

Oct 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

26

San Francisco 49ers - (-$285,281)

Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) chases during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

27

Dallas Cowboys - (-$10,603,247)

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

28

Denver Broncos - (-$16,354,889)

Jan 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

29

New Orleans Saints - (-$17,102,634)

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

30

Los Angeles Chargers - (-$25,674,997)

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) leaves the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

31

Miami Dolphins - (-$31,638,623)

Oct 23, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) holds the football prior to attempting a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

32

Buffalo Bills - (-$41,313,381)

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks the play th ball pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) in the first quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports