How Mike McGlinchey's fifth-year option impacted by 2021 NFL salary cap

NFL teams knew this offseason would present a host of challenges.

Due to declining league revenues amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the salary cap was sure to fall instead of rising as franchises had grown accustomed to, meaning big changes to short- and long-term plans.

NFL franchises were informed of the 2021 salary cap number, which reportedly is $182.5 million. The league and NFL Players Association’s collective bargaining agreement from last season also restructured fifth-year options, bringing more clarity to how much the 49ers can expect to pay tackle Mike McGlinchey if they want to exercise his option for 2022.

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NFL sets 2021 salary cap at $182.5 million, down 8% from previous year

The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed Wednesday to a salary cap of $182.5 million per team for 2021, a long-anticipated 8% decrease from last season.

The league informed teams of the official cap number Wednesday morning in a memo, which was obtained by ESPN. The drop-off will force teams to make difficult roster decisions in the coming days and weeks.

Cap limits had risen in every year since 2011 in conjunction with rising league revenues, but a 92% drop in attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced revenues in 2020. The NFL and the NFLPA agreed last summer that the cap would be no lower than $175 million; last month they informed teams that it would be at least $180 million. It was $198.2 million in 2020.

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