The NFL has become an $18 billion force, with rising franchise values buoyed by new broadcast and streaming rights deals and other new streams of revenue driving up franchise values across the league, which shouldn't make it a surprise that NFL coaches are among the highest-paid in sports.
According to information gathered by Sportico, NFL coaches make up seven of the ten highest-paid coaches in sports.
Thanks to salary data compiled by Sportico and Statista, here's a breakdown of the 10-highest paid NFL coaches this season.
1. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots, $25 Million
The 2023 NFL season might prove to be the most difficult and challenging of Bill Belichick's career, but the New England Patriots head coach is the highest-paid in his profession. Belichick, while working alongside future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, was the architect of a dynasty that won six Super Bowl championships dating back to 2002.
2. Sean Payton, Denver Broncos, $18 Million
After a one-year absence from the sideline, the Denver Broncos were able to lure Sean Payton from the television studio by making him the second-highest paid head coach in the league. Payton helped guide the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory, following the 2010 season. According to multiple reports, Payton signed a five-year deal.
3. Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks, $15 Million
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Pete Carroll is one of the winningest active coaches, and a true program builder for the Seattle Seahawks. With one Super Bowl ring and another appearance under his belt, Carroll alongside general manager John Schneider have restocked a young core with the kind of talent that could develop into another Super Bowl contender for Carroll in coming seasons.
4. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Chargers, $15 Million
Sean McVay has already made two trips to the Super Bowl, becoming the youngest head coach to ever hoist the Lombardi Trophy when the Rams knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2021 season. There have been some rumblings that McVay could be on the hot seat, but he's still widely viewed as one of the game's bright young minds.
5. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers, $14 Million
Kyle Shannahan has yet to win a Super Bowl, but has a roster loaded with the talent necessary to make a real run at it in 2023. An offensive mastermind, Shanahan has seamlessly, alongside general manager John Lynch, built one of the deepest and most talented rosters in football chalk full of some of the game's brightest stars and ideal fits for Shanahan's scheme. If Shanahan does win a Super Bowl in coming season, expect him to climb this list in San Francisco.
6. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers, $12.5 Million
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Mike Tomlin is the second-longest tenured head coach in the NFL, trailing only Belichick, and while pressure is reaching a crescendo in Pittsburgh, remains among the league's highest compensated at the position. Tomlin has one Super Bowl win with the Steelers, and has led Pittsburgh to the postseason 10 times since his hiring in 2007.
7. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens, $12 Million
The Ravens have really been built in Harbaugh's image. Harbaugh already has one Super Bowl ring and this season boasts a roster, led by an MVP candidate quarterback, that could be his best opportunity to date to win a second. Baltimore has made the postseason 10 times, and the AFC Championship Game three times since Harbaugh's arrival in 2010.
8. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs, $12 Million
A likely future Hall of Famer, Andy Reid has won two Super Bowls in four tries, including one with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to arriving in Kansas City. As long as Reid and Mahomes are leading the Chiefs, Kansas City has to be considered a favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
9. Josh McDaniels, $10 Million
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Josh McDaniels' buyout was one of the reasons that he likely coached into a second season with the Las Vegas Raiders, and lasted until the second-half of the 2023 campaign before being relieved of his duties with nearly 4.5 seasons worth remaining on his deal.
10. Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans, $9.5 Million
The Titans are in the midst of a rebuild, and might have found the long-term solution at quarterback, in Will Levis, which could help extend Mike Vrabel's longstanding tenure as Tennessee's head coach.
