Yes, the team-by-team unadjusted spending limit for 2013 will be $123 million.
But that number contains a few important caveats.
First, each team will have to have enough cap space to sign its rookies. That number, per a source with knowledge of the calculations, will average roughly $4 million per team.
Second, anywhere from $2 million to $5 million per team will be devoted to restricted free agency tenders.
During the offseason, a team’s cap calculation is determined by the cap numbers of the 51 highest-paid players on the roster. The number includes tender offers to franchise players and restricted free agents, but not free agents who have yet to agree to terms.
Every team must be in compliance with the 2013 salary cap by 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12. And there is no “or else"; it’s a mandatory requirement with which every team must comply.
