Lions Aim to Restructure Contracts to Create 2026 Cap Space

Detroit team faces negative cap space, but has options to free up funds for next season.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Detroit Lions are projected to have negative salary cap space in 2026, a common issue facing many NFL teams entering the offseason. However, the Lions have tools at their disposal to restructure player contracts and create additional cap room for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Maintaining salary cap flexibility is crucial for NFL teams to be able to retain key players, sign free agents, and build a competitive roster. The Lions will need to get creative with their contract structures to ensure they have the necessary funds to field a winning team in 2026.

The details

According to reports, the Lions are one of 11 NFL franchises expected to have more salary commitments than available cap space for the 2026 season. This is a common challenge facing teams, as they must balance long-term player contracts with annual cap constraints. To address this, the Lions can look to restructure deals with veteran players, converting base salaries into signing bonuses that can be prorated over the life of the contract.

  • The 2026 NFL league year begins on March 13.

The players

Detroit Lions

A professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan, and a member of the National Football League (NFL).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Lions will need to work quickly to identify players whose contracts can be restructured and negotiate new terms with those athletes and their representatives before the start of the 2026 league year.

The takeaway

Navigating the NFL salary cap is an ongoing challenge for teams, but the Lions have proven experience in this area and should be able to find creative solutions to ensure they have the necessary resources to field a competitive roster in 2026.