Every year the NFL is raking in billions of dollars in revenue from factors like broadcast contracts, stadium deals, and merchandise sales. Today the NFL is worth a staggering $163 billion, according to Forbes.
This means the average team is valued at $5.11 billion, and, the Dallas Cowboys, being the most valuable team appraised at a phenomenal $9 billion. However, most of this is due to the hard work of players and head coaches. Let’s look at how much NFL head coaches make in 2024.
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How Much Does An NFL Head Coach Make On Average?
The average salary of NFL head coaches in 2024 falls approximately between $6.5 million and $7 million per year. However, these are just a general estimate, and the actual range is quite wide due to various factors that influence coaches’ salaries like experience, market demand, team success, and performance.
Top 4 Highest-Earning NFL Head Coaches
Pay scales for the top ten NFL head coaches range from $10 million to $20 million annually. Let’s look at the top 4 earners:
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots: Belichick’s $20 million annual salary reflects his six Super Bowl rings and unmatched influence within the Patriots organization.
Sean Payton, Denver Broncos: Fresh off his retirement, hoping to replicate his Super Bowl magic in Denver, Sean was able to sign a lucrative deal with the Broncos, bagging a cool $18 million per year.
Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks: Despite recent struggles, Carroll’s legacy with the Seahawks and two Super Bowl appearances secured him a $15 million paycheck.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams: Though he fell short in defending the championship title, coach McVay is still a renowned personality known for his offensive genius, His Super Bowl win still earned him a hefty $15 million salary.
5 Least Paid Head Coaches in the NFL
Now let’s look at the other side of the coin. While some are paid plenty, others only receive a modest cheque comparatively. Let’s take a closer look:
Robert Saleh, New York Jets– Despite turning around the Jets’ culture and instilling hope for the future, Saleh’s salary of only $5 million per annum reflects the team’s ongoing rebuilding process.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals– Taylor’s Super Bowl run with the Bengals was a Cinderella story, but his relatively short tenure keeps his salary to $4.5 million. Expect this number to rise if he can sustain success.
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys– McCarthy’s salary is only $4 million with the Packers which might seem surprising. However, his recent struggles and the Cowboys’ demanding fanbase likely contribute to the modest pay.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns– Stefanski’s playoff appearances have earned him respect, but the Browns’ historical volatility keeps his salary at $3.5 million, making him the lowest-paid head coach in the league.
Conclusion
While the NFL itself rakes in billions, head coach salaries vary widely. Super Bowl winners and established veterans like Belichick and Payton top the chart with multi-million dollar contracts, while others like Saleh and Stefanski earn significantly less due to team performance and lack of experience.
The disparity shows the complex influence of factors like success, market demand, and team expectations on coaches’ salaries in the NFL.
