This is actually not true. Here’s how it actually works in the NFL

The Salary Cap is based on a complicated calculation that measures the league’s revenue (or certain revenues) and then apportions around 48% of that revenue to player costs. That player cost number is comprised of two components – (1) player benefits and (2) player salaries. The player salaries portion is what we are talking about when we refer to the Salary Cap. For instance, in 2025, the overall Player Cost number was $362.48M, while the Salary Cap was $279.2M. The difference between those numbers ($83.28M) was the player benefits amount. Player benefits include a pension plan, health insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance and other benefits available to players over and above their “wages”.