It Pays to Call the Shots: The Salaries of NFL Head Coaches
It's not easy to make it to the top of the NFL coaching chain. Many of the greatest head coaches start as interns or quality control coaches, spending years working way up the ladder. Others begin their careers after retiring as players. Of course, there are also the young geniuses like Sean McVay, who show wisdom beyond their years and earn their honors in their early 30s.
Whatever path one takes to become an NFL head coach, they're paid handsomely. Read on to find out just how much each one makes!
John Harbaugh - $20 Million
John Harbaugh was a special teams coach before the Baltimore Ravens hired him to be their head coach in 2008. He was actually their second choice, behind Jason Garrett, but he quickly proved to be the right choice.
Harbaugh went 11-5 in his first season, and, in 2012, he coached the Ravens to a Super Bowl championship, the second in franchise history. After parting ways with the team in 2025, this legendary coach joined the New York Giants under a five-year, $100-million deal - that means he's earning a cool $20 million each season!
Andy Reid - $20 Million
The Kansas City Chiefs went all-in on Andy Reid back in 2013, when the Philadelphia Eagles declined to renew his contract. The team gave the coaching legend a five-year deal with final say on roster decisions.
One of Reid's first moves was to trade for quarterback Alex Smith, which made the chiefs a perennial playoff contender. In 2017, he drafted Patrick Mahomes, which turned out to be a win, for they took home the Super Bowl trophy in '19, '22 and '23.
Sean Payton - $18 Million
Hired by the Saints in 2006, Sean Payton was a fixture in New Orleans for decades. His first year was rough. After the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he led the Saints to a 3-13 record. Things quickly turned around for him and New Orleans upon the signing of free-agent quarterback Drew Brees. A few years later, New Orleans won the Super Bowl.
Payton joined the Denver Broncos in 2023, and he has an annual salary of around $18 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh - $16 Million
Jim Harbaugh became an NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, immediately turning around a struggling franchise by leading them to three straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. This earned him AP NFL Coach of the Year honors. After four seasons in San Francisco, he moved to the college ranks as head coach at the University of Michigan, where he took the Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten titles and a 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.
In January 2024, Harbaugh returned to the NFL as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, leading them to back-to-back playoff berths in his first two seasons.
Kevin O'Connell - $15 Million
Kevin O’Connell is a former NFL quarterback who's been the head coach of Minnesota since 2022, making him the 10th head coach in franchise history. After a playing career as a quarterback that included time with the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins and Chargers, he transitioned into coaching, with stops as an assistant with the Browns, 49ers and Washington, before serving as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, where his offense helped win Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 season.
As Vikings head coach, O’Connell has led Minnesota to multiple winning seasons, including a 13-4 record in 2022 and a 14-3 mark in '24, earning him the AP NFL Coach of the Year award and a contract extension.
Sean McVay - $15 Million
The Los Angeles Rams hired Sean McVay to be their head coach in 2017. He was 30 years old and became the youngest head coach ever hired in league history. The huge gamble by the Rams ended up with the highest reward.
In his first season in Los Angeles, the Rams went 11-5. In his second, McVay led the team to a 13-3 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl. In his short time with them, the young coach has proved to be wise beyond his years. In 2021, he led the team back to the promised land, this time beating the Bengals to win it all.
Mike Vrabel - $14-17 Million
Mike Vrabel had a quick rise from assistant coach to head coach. The Houston Texans hired him in 2014 as the team's linebackers coach, and while there coached up heavy hitters, such as JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
In 2018, the Tennessee Titans hitched their wagon to Vrabel, naming him the team's head coach. He was hired by the New England Patriots in 2025, with the team paying him about $14-17 million a year.
Kyle Shanahan - $14 Million
One of the biggest bargains in the NFL, Kyle Shanahan began as head coach with the San Francisco 49ers with an annual salary of just $3.5 million. That number has since soared, thanks to the success he saw in his third season with the team (which saw them play in Super Bowl LIV and LVIII).
Shanahan's salary is not estimated to be around $14 million - a nice jump from where he started with the 49ers.
Ben Johnson - $13 Million
Ben Johnson became the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2025. Before Chicago, he was with the Miami Dolphins in various offensive support roles, after which he joined the Detroit Lions, eventually becoming their offensive coordinator. He led one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses and was named the 2024 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
In his first season as Bears head coach, Johnson guided Chicago to an 11-6 record, an NFC North division title, and the franchise’s first playoff win in 15 years.
Aaron Glenn - $12 Million
Aaron Glenn became the head coach of the New York Jets in January 2025, returning to the franchise that drafted him 12th overall in 1994 after a 15-year playing career that included three Pro Bowl selections. Before taking over the Jets, he spent 11 years coaching in the NFL, including stints as assistant defensive backs coach with the Cleveland Browns, defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saintsand defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, establishing a reputation for defensive acumen.
Glenn’s first season as Jets head coach in 2025 resulted in a 3-14 record, and he's since been overhauling his coaching staff and adding veteran leaders for the 2026 season.
Liam Coen - $12 Million
Liam Coen has rapidly risen through the ranks to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a position he’s held since 2025. Before his head-coaching appointment, Coen built a diverse résumé, with stops as offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers and the Rams, along with collegiate offensive roles at Kentucky, Maine, UMass, Rhode Island and Brown.
In his first NFL season as head coach, Coen led the Jaguars to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title, transforming a franchise that had just four wins the prior year and earning plaudits for revitalizing quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the team’s offense.
Dan Campbell - $11-12 Million
In early 2021, Saints TE coach Dan Campbell signed a six-year contract to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions. He had a huge rebuild in front of him, as the team traded away a disgruntled Matthew Stafford.
Campbell has since signed an extension worth between $11-12 million a year - more than enough to keep him pushing the Lions to new lengths.
Mike Macdonald - $9 Million
Mike Macdonald has been the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks since January 2024, becoming the ninth head coach in franchise history and one of the youngest in the NFL at the time of his hire.
After a rapid rise through coaching, he was tapped to replace Pete Carroll in Seattle. In his first season, Macdonald led the Seahawks to a 10-7 record, the most wins by a first-year Seattle coach, although they missed the playoffs. In 2025, he guided the team to a franchise-record 14-3 regular-season mark, captured the NFC West title and then won the NFC Championship to reach Super Bowl LX, showcasing a dramatically improved defense and overall team performance.
Dan Quinn - $8.5 Million
Dan Quinn currently serves as the head coach of the Washington Commanders, a position he’s held since February 2024. Before Washington, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he led the team to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl LI appearance in the 2016 season.
After being fired by the Falcons, Quinn spent three seasons as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, transforming their defense into one of the NFL’s better units. As Commanders head coach, he oversaw a dramatic turnaround in 2024, guiding Washington to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance. However, the team struggled in 2025, finishing 5-12, prompting staff changes.
Nick Sirianni - $7 Million
Nick Sirianni has been the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach since the 2021 NFL season, turning the franchise into one of the league’s most consistent powers. Hired after his stint as the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive coordinator, Sirianni led the Eagles to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons, securing three NFC East titles, two NFC Championships and culminating in a Super Bowl LIX victory in the 2024 season, with a decisive win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Under his leadership, Philadelphia has posted one of its highest winning percentages in franchise history and made multiple deep post-season runs.
Kellen Moore - $5-7.5 Million
Kellen Moore is a former NFL quarterback who began his head-coaching career with the New Orleans Saints as one of the youngest head coaches in the league. After retiring as a player in 2018, he quickly rose through the coaching ranks, starting as quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, where his offenses ranked among the NFL’s best.
His head-coaching tenure with the Saints began following that Super Bowl-winning season, as he took over a rebuilding franchise looking to return to competitiveness.
DeMeco Ryans - $4.6-8 Million
DeMeco Ryans is a former standout NFL linebacker who's been the head coach of the Texans since 2023. After a decorated playing career, he began coaching with San Francisco, rising to defensive coordinator before being hired by the Texans.
Since taking over in Houston, Ryans has guided the team to multiple winning seasons and playoff berths, helping revitalize a franchise that's struggled in recent years.
Zac Taylor - $4.5 Million
The Cincinnati Bengals were hoping they'd found the next Sean McVay when they hired Zac Taylor as their head coach in 2019. The rising star was on McVay's staff in LA, and Bengals' higher-ups were trying to connect the dots.
Taylor's first season in Cincinnati was a disaster. The team went 2-14 after starting the season 0-11. With the first pick in the draft, they selected Joe Burrow to be the franchise savior. He's remained with the team ever since, earning an estimated $4.5 million annually.
Brian Schottenheimer - $4.5 Million
Brian Schottenheimer became the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, after spending two seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator. He has more than two decades of coaching experience in the NFL and college ranks, and is known for his offensive and quarterback development work.
Before Dallas, Schottenheimer held offensive coordinator roles with the Jets, the Rams and the Seahawks, and he was a quarterbacks coach with the Colts and passing game coordinator with the Jaguars.
Shane Steichen - $4-6 Million
Shane Steichen has been the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts since 2023. Before Indy, he was offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, helping shape their high-powered offense, and earlier held similar offensive roles with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, including offensive coordinator in 2020. He also spent time as a quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant in the NFL and began his career in college coaching.
As Colts head coach, Steichen has guided the team through three seasons and compiled a near-.500 record, working to develop young talent like quarterback Anthony Richardson and build competitive offenses.
Todd Bowles - $3-4 Million
Todd Bowles is a veteran NFL head coach and defensive mind. Currently the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was previously the head coach of the New York Jets, and he had a brief stint as interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2011.
Since taking over Tampa Bay, Bowles has guided the team to three consecutive NFC South division titles and multiple playoff appearances, becoming the first coach in franchise history to win his division in each of his first three seasons. How we're just waiting for the team to secure a spot in the Super Bowl!
Kevin Stefanski - $2.1 Million
Kevin Stefanski’s head-coaching career began when he was hired by the Cleveland Browns in January 2020. In his first season, he led Cleveland to its first winning record and playoff berth since 2002, also securing the franchise’s first playoff win in 26 years and receiving AP NFL Coach of the Year honors; he won the award again in 2023, after another 11-win season and playoff appearance.
However, mixed results soon followed Cleveland struggled with quarterback instability, posted four losing seasons overall and finished the 2024–25 stretch with back-to-back poor records, leading to his firing after six seasons in January 2026, with a sub-.500 overall record and two postseason berths. Shortly after, he was hired as the head coach for Atlanta.
David Canales $2-5 Million
David Canales became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in January 2024, signing a multi-year contract to be the franchise’s seventh head coach and one of the youngest in the NFL. Before that, he spent 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks in various offensive coaching roles, where he was part of the staff that won Super Bowl XLVIII and helped develop players like Russell Wilson and Geno Smith.
After a one-year stint as offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay in 2023, Canales took over in Carolina with a reputation for quarterback development and offensive creativity.
Matt LaFleur - Undisclosed
It's hard to argue with the early return on the Packers' investment in Matt LaFleur. The complete opposite of previous head coach Mike McCarthy, LaFleur is anything but conservative, and after one season of adjusting his game to Aaron Rodgers showed why Green Bay hired him in 2020.
While the Packers have run into some bumpy patches over the years, they've still managed to come in second or third in the NFC North in recent years. And it appears team execs are still happy with his work, as LaFleur recently signed a contract extension.
Mike McCarthy - Undisclosed
Mike McCarthy spent 13 seasons as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, winning one Super Bowl before he was sent packing after the 2018 season. The weathered coach took a year away from the game before returning in 2020 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
After spending two years in Texas, McCarthy made yet another move, this time to Pittsburgh to become the head coach of the Steelers.
Robert Saleh - Undisclosed
The New York Jets spared no expense when it came to getting top head coaching candidate Robert Saleh to sign with them back in the day. The architect of San Francisco's Super Bowl defense, Saleh was seen as a head coach in waiting.
Saleh stayed with the Jets until 2024, after which he held jobs as the defensive coordinator with the 49ers and an offensive consultant with the New York Giants. He's since signed on with the Tennessee Titans as the team's head coach.
Jesse Minter - Undisclosed
Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter began his coaching career after playing at Mount St. Joseph University, working his way up from a graduate assistant at Notre Dame to defensive coordinator roles at Indiana State and Georgia State.
He entered the NFL in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive staff, later becoming their defensive backs coach, before moving back to college. Fast-forward to 2026, when he was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the fourth head coach in franchise history and beginning his first NFL head-coaching tenure.
Joe Brady - Undisclosed
Joe Brady became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in January 2026, signing a multi-year deal after two seasons as the team's offensive coordinator.
He started his career coaching at his alma mater and as a graduate assistant, before joining the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant. He gained national prominence at LSU in 2019 as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, earning the Broyles Award for top assistant coach.
Brady then served as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers before joining the Bills in 2022 as quarterbacks coach, later becoming interim and then full offensive coordinator, where he helped Buffalo’s offense rank among the league’s best
Todd Monken - Undisclosed
Todd Monken has had a long, varied career in both college football and the NFL. He began coaching in 1989 after playing quarterback at Knox College, working his way through assistant roles at the likes of Grand Valley State, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan and Oklahoma State, before his first head-coaching job at Southern Miss.
Monken moved into the NFL as an offensive coordinator with Tampa Bay and the Cleveland Browns, then returned to the college sphere as offensive coordinator at Georgia, helping the Bulldogs win back-to-back national championships. He then served as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, where his offense ranked among the league’s best, before being hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in January 2026.
Jeff Hafley - Undisclosed
Jeff Hafley is the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Before Miami, he spent two seasons as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, and prior to that he was the head coach at Boston College, compiling a 22-26 record and winning a bowl game in his final season.
Hafley’s coaching journey has included long tenures as an assistant coach in college and the NFL, working with defenses for teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.
