CINCINNATI -- Last week, with the help of ESPN Stats & Information, we looked at the previous projection for the Cincinnati Bengals' salary-cap space based on their top-51 contract commitments and money they rolled over from last season.

At that time, it was expected the Bengals would have about $36.5 million in cap space when the new league year opened next week.

But that was one day before the releases of receiver Greg Little and defensive end Robert Geathers, and it also was before the NFL told teams Monday morning that the 2015 salary-cap would be $280,000 more than recent reports had indicated.

With the per-team cap officially set at $143.28 million, the Bengals are looking at having just south of $40 million in cap space for the new year. They'll have $39,883,842, to be exact. Only six teams will have more space available. Just one of them, the Colts, made the playoffs with the Bengals.

Using Stats & Information's numbers, Cincinnati's adjusted cap will be $152,030,435. That figure includes the $8.7 million the Bengals are rolling over from 2014.

Since the Bengals aren't quite as pressed to sign multiple large-salary contract extensions like they were last offseason with quarterback Andy Dalton and linebacker Vontaze Burfict, they ought to have some room to maneuver under the cap this year to make a couple of larger-than-normal free-agent signings. Cincinnati typically is an observer during the early stages of free agency. Coach Marvin Lewis already has indicated the franchise will be more aggressive this year.

It's important to note that the salary-cap limit of $143.28 million doesn't include player benefits. When that's factored in, the total projected player cost teams will be allowed to spend is $180.8 million. The Bengals' front office often highlights those costs when discussing player spending.