125% + $100K Rule (Trade Exception)A team above the cap can receive up to 125% of the salary sent out plus $100,000. Below the cap, you can receive up to 125% + $100K or the cap maximum, whichever is larger.
Simultaneous ExchangeAll players in a trade must be exchanged simultaneously. No player can be traded until they've played 3 months from signing (the "3-month rule").
Hard Cap TriggerUsing the Taxpayer MLE or acquiring a player via sign-and-trade triggers the hard cap at the Taxpayer Apron (~$188M in 2026–27). Once hard-capped, you can't go over it under any circumstances.
Traded Player Exception (TPE)When a team trades away more salary than it receives, it can generate a TPE for the difference. The TPE lasts one year and can be used to absorb a player without sending salary back.
No-Trade Clauses (NTC)Some players have full or partial NTCs in their contracts. This tool indicates when an NTC may apply, but always verify with the team.
Draft pick restrictionsTeams can trade picks up to 7 years in the future. The "Stepien Rule" prevents a team from not having a first-round pick in any two consecutive years — this tool validates this automatically.