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Did you ever wonder why some of the NFL head coaches’ salaries are higher than any player in football?
Good coaching can turn an NFL game upside down and we have seen such an example in the Super Bowl LVII. Chiefs HC Andy Reid and his team once again conquered the Super Bowl 2023 season and defeated the 49ers in the final game.
Andy Reid is one of the highest-paid NFL head coaches in the league.
What is the role of Head Coach in the NFL
The role of the head coach in American Football is way more intense and intimidating than any other sports in the world. Different from typical coach responsibilities that include training and assessing athletes. Well, it is not enough in American Football.
Especially in the National Football League where head coaches’ jobs are conducting research and analyzing previous games to develop game plans, tactics, techniques, formations, and strategies. Head coaches are the main key factor during the game who make decisions, make player calls, question referees, ensure that players do understand assistant coaches, etc.
Apart from these, head coaches handle all the media, scheduling, budgeting, hiring new coaching staff, and much more. Definitely, the salary of these head coaches rises along with their expertise and experience in football coaching.
Average NFL Coach Salary
In the past few decades, many sports including American football become larger than life. The money factor has changed Football teams’ entire game and that’s where comes a Head coach.
An average American football coach’s salary lies between $300K to $5 million annually. Like player salary NFL coaches salary has no capital included or bonuses. However, good results will increase a raise in the next extension contract and vice versa.
But some of the head coaches have been in the leagues for several years. Their years of experience make them one of the top-paid American football coaches. So let’s find out who are these top 10 NFL coaches with the highest NFL salary of all time.
Top 10 NFL Head Coach with the Highest-Paid NFL Salary
1. Bill Belichick – New England Patriots – $25 million*
Goat Bill Belichick is the highest-paid NFL Coach of all time. The six-time Super Bowl rings show how successful Bill Belichick was during his time with the Patriots. Belichick and the New England Patriots are finally getting a mutual separation after being together for 24 seasons in the NFL.
According to Sportico, Belichick signed an extension contract with the franchise signed in 2023 a year that runs at least through 2024. Patriots contract with Belichick earned him worth $25 million annually, more than any other coach in the NFL.
Currently, Belichick is looking for another coaching job after leaving New England. 72-year-old Belichick has finally dropped his armor and is ready to take on a side role not as fulfilling as his previous ones. The Patriots signed Jared Mayo in January 2024 as the new head coach.
2. Sean Payton – Denver Broncos – $18 million
Finally, Sean Payton became the highest-paid NFL coach in the league. Sean Payton signed a 5-year of deal with the Denver Broncos. According to the reports, the Broncos agreed to pay Sean Paton $18 million annually until the 2027 season. Only Belichick has earned more than the $20 million which is the highest NFL coach salary of all time.
3. Jim Harbaugh – Los Angeles Chargers – $16 million
Source: Associated Press
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is next among our top-paid football coaches in the NFL. Harbaugh signed a 5-year contract with the Chargers worth $80 million deal. According to the deal former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh will earn $16 million annually. After the Charger and Harbaugh deal came to light, many NFL pundits are speculating that Harbaugh will be the NFL odds to win the 2024-25 Coach of the Year.
4. Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks – $15 million
Source: @petecarroll
Pete Carroll earned $15 million during his 5-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks until 2025. However, after a 14-season tenure, Pete Carroll was fired by the Seahawks in January 2024. Pete Carroll served the Seahawks for more than a decade from 2010 to 2023. Before Pete landed an NFL job, Carroll coached at the University of Southern California (USC) from 2001 to 2009.
5. Sean McVay – Los Angeles Rams – $14 million
Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay comes next on our highest-paid NFL football coaches 2024 list. According to the Sportico reports, Sean McVay is under a contract with the Rams that runs until 2026. Sean earns $14 million a year from his contract with the Rams.
Sean McVay was also one of the youngest NFL head coaches in the history until Patriots signed Jared Mayo as their new head coach in 2024. By the time of his joining in the Rams McVay was only 30 years old in 2017. He also became the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl LVI.
6. Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers – $12.5 million
Source: @coachtomlin
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin earns $12.5 million from the franchise earning him a place among the top ten highest-paid NFL head coaches. Mike Tomlin signed a 3-year extension contract with the Steelers in the 2021. Tomlin also became the longest-tenured coach in the NFL after Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick were fired by their team.
7. Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs – $12 million
Super Bowl LVII winner Kansas City Chiefs pays their head coach Andy Reid a $12 million whopping salary annually. After winning the Super Bowl 2023 season Andy Reid and his team looking for the three-peat in 2024. The Chiefs and Reid will go after the Lombardi Trophies in the 2024 season to become the very first team who win three Super Bowls in a row.
8. John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens – $12 million
John Harbaugh joined forces with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. Since then Harbaugh has led the team two losing seasons and even won a Super Bowl ring in 2012. In 2022, Jim Harbaugh signed a 3-year extension deal with the franchise’s ends in 2025. According to the deal Harbaugh earns $12 million from the Ravens annually.
9. Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers – $10 million
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is the highest-paid NFL coach in 2024. Based on his six-year deal with the 49ers, Shanahan earns $10 million a year. Unfortunately, Kyle and his team 49ers failed to clinch the Lombardi Trophy from the Chiefs in the Super Bowl LVII.
10. Doug Pederson – Jacksonville Jaguars $8.5 million
Last but not least, Doug Pederson, head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars signed a multi-year deal with the franchise in 2022 to become their head coach. With an $8.5 million base salary, Pederson is one of the top-paid American football coaches in 2024.
So these are our highest-paid NFL football coaches of all time.
FAQs
Q 1 Who is the highest-paid NFL head coach of all time?
Ans Bill Belichick has earned $25 million annually and has become the highest-paid NFL coach of all time. The six-time Super Bowl rings show Bill’s amazing 24 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Q 2 Who is the longest-tenured NFL coach currently?
Ans Currently, Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers is the Mike Tomlin is the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL. He has been in his coaching position since being hired in 2007 by the Steelers.
Q 3 Who is the Youngest NFL head coach?
Ans New England Patriots’ new HC Jared Mayo has become the youngest NFL Head coach. Mayo is only 30 days younger than the Rams coach Sean McVay was only 30 years old by the time he joined franchise in the 2017.
