The NFL locking in the 2026 base salary cap to $301.2 million on Friday brings some clarity as to where the Arizona Cardinals’ cap space currently sits.
Arizona ranks 12th in the NFL for current cap space with $36.8 million and 13th in effective cap space, according to OverTheCap.
For comparison, the Tennessee Titans lead the league with $94.8 million in cap space and $82.5 million in effective cap space. On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys are currently in the red by $56.1 million in cap space and $63.6 million in effective cap space.
The difference between cap space and effective cap space is the latter includes the final projected numbers for the incoming rookie class and at least 51 player signings.
Between now and the start of the season, Arizona’s cap space is going to fluctuate due to multiple factors. The biggest one is how the Cardinals move on from quarterback Kyler Murray.
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From the Cardinals’ side of things, trading the quarterback would be the best-case scenario. A pre-June 1 trade would result in $17.9 million in dead money but free up $34.7 million in cap space. A post-June 1 deal would lower the dead money hit even more to $10.7 million and increase cap space by $41.9 million.
That’s just the financial side of any perspective deal and doesn’t include any potential draft capital or players that could be included.
Going the outright release route, a pre-June 1 cut would result in $54.7 million in dead money and a cap hit of $2 million. A designated post-June 1 cut would bring that dead money hit down to $47.5 million with $5.1 million in cap savings.
Cutting Murray would not be ideal for the Cardinals, but it’s the most likely avenue Arizona can take when it comes to moving on from the quarterback.
The Cardinals could also look at saving money from other departures on the roster. For example, releasing veteran defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson with a post-June 1 designation would free up $14.5 million in cap space with just $1.7 million in dead money.
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting is another cut option and would save the team $7.2 million in cap space and carry $2 million in dead money. Same with running back James Conner, whose release would bring about $7.5 million in cap savings with $2.2 million in dead money.
Potential extensions for offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Michael Wilson could also impact the cap tally in 2026.
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