Which NFL coach makes the most money?

Facts about player deals are in the NFL news every day. Complex clauses, warranties, and bonuses can change players' cash and separately teams' salary cap positions.

NFL news:

But we shouldn't forget the coaches and their payroll status, and they and the money they receive are excluded from the salary cap. A few coaches work successfully to the end of their contracts, and the equation is simple if the team goes well: the coach receives an extension; the other way around, the coach can be fired promptly.

Recently fired Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was in his fourth year of an unprecedented 10-year contract that paid him $10 million annually, the third-highest of any coach.

The information on how much money is earned by the coaches can't always be found publicly. So here is a glimpse into how much money is made by the top-tier coaches of the League.

1. Bill Belichick, $12.5 million, net worth: $35 million

Six Super Bowl rings and 22 years of a successful career with the New England Patriots, and, logically, Belichick has the highest salary among coaches. He is also responsible for personnel decisions at the Patriots, including the draft, free agency, and trades. Belichick is a three-time AP Coach of the Year and the all-time leader in playoff wins by a coach.

2. Pete Carroll, $11 million, net worth: $22 million

Carroll has been heading the Seattle Seahawks since 2010, and has led the team to the playoffs nine times in 11 years. Seattle won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Broncos before losing to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. The 70-year-old Carroll is also the NFL's oldest head coach, but last year he signed a contract extension through 2025.

3. Sean Payton, $9.8 million, net worth: $22 million

In his 15th season with the New Orleans Saints, Payton is the NFL's second-longest-running head coach behind Belichick. He was hired in 2006 and soon turned the team around, going 10-6 in his first year after the Saints went 3-13 in 2005. Matching Drew Brees, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010 and haven't won fewer than seven games during Payton's term.

4. John Harbaugh, $9 million, net worth: $16 million

Harbaugh was hired in 2009, and since then, he has had just one losing season with the Baltimore Ravens. He won Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013 against his brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers. Lately, he converted Ravens' offense from pocket passer Joe Flacco to dual-threat Lamar Jackson.

5. Matt Rhule, $8.5 million, net worth: $5 million

A lot of money was needed for the Carolina Panthers to convince Rhule away from Baylor University in 2020. The Panthers are now in the middle of rebuilding their team, as they went 5-11 in Rhule's first year and then substituted quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with Sam Darnold in 2021. The 46-year-old Rhule signed a seven-year deal with the Panthers, so he'll likely be responsible for the team rebuild project.