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10. Mike Macdonald, Seahawks
Average Salary: $9 Million
After nine seasons on John Harbaugh’s staff with the Ravens and one season on Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan, Mike Macdonald earned his first head-coaching opportunity at 37 years old. The defensive guru is tasked with replacing legendary coach Pete Carroll, and he’s off to a fine start with a 10-7 record in 2024. Seattle narrowly missed the postseason in his first year.
T-8. Sean McDermott, Bills
Average Salary: $11 Million
Many believe Sean McDermott is one of the best coaches in the NFL, and he’s brought the Bills to the playoffs seven times in eight seasons with the franchise. He only has one fewer playoff victory than big-name coaches such as Mike Tomlin, Sean McVay, and Kyle Shanahan. Failing to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs has been his only negative, but that appears to be the toughest ask in the sport right now.
T-8. Dan Campbell, Lions
Average Salary: $11 Million
Many questioned the Dan Campbell hire in Detroit after the whole “biting kneecaps” introductory press conference. Since then, Campbell has compiled a 39-28-1 record, including a 27-7 record over the last two seasons. In 2023, coached the Lions to the franchise’s first playoff win since 1991. You can make the argument that he deserves a massive raise.
7. John Harbaugh, Ravens
Average Salary: $12 Million
John Harbaugh has qualified for the postseason 12 times in 17 seasons with the Ravens, and his 2012 Super Bowl title with Joe Flacco at quarterback will go down in NFL history as one of the most impressive runs of all time. The 62-year-old has just three playoff wins over the last 12 years, but he has Baltimore constantly near the top of the league standings. Can the veteran coach hoist another Lombardi Trophy before his time is up?
6. Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
Average Salary: $14 Million
Kyle Shanahan has missed the playoffs just as many times as he’s made it as a head coach (four), but he won two playoff games each time he qualified for postseason action. The 49ers have suffered two heartbreaking Super Bowl losses against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and its main group of skill players is getting up in age. Will Shanahan rebound from a tough 2024 season, or will the decline continue in 2025?
5. Sean McVay, Rams
Average Salary: $15 Million
At just 39 years old, Sean McVay has already won 80 regular-season games, eight playoff games, two NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl. He is known for doing more with less and elevating his offense into one of the premier attacks in the league, but retirement rumors surround McVay every offseason. He could go down as one of the greatest coaches ever if he stays on his current trajectory and doesn’t hang it up early.
T-3. Jim Harbaugh, Chargers
Average Salary: $16 Million
Jim Harbaugh had a successful first stint as an NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers, compiling a 36-11 record and reaching three NFC title games in his first three seasons. After Year 4 with the Niners, he returned to his alma mater and eventually won Michigan a College Football Playoff National Championship. Now, he’s back with the Chargers, and he improved L.A.’s record by six wins and qualified for the postseason right away. The future is bright with Justin Herbert and Harbaugh leading the franchise.
T-3. Mike Tomlin, Steelers
Average Salary: $16 Million
In 18 seasons with the Steelers, Mike Tomlin has never posted a losing record despite poor quarterback play over the last half-decade. Needless to say, Tomlin brings a high floor to the organization, but the fan base is growing impatient with the lack of playoff success. Tomlin’s Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016, and his lone Super Bowl title came in his second year as the franchise’s head coach (2008). Still, he’s earned his salary after winning 183 games to this point.
2. Sean Payton, Broncos
Average Salary: $18 Million
Sean Payton parted ways with the New Orleans Saints following the 2021 campaign, and it appeared he could be done with coaching forever. Then, the Denver Broncos came knocking with a generous contract, and he’s back on the sideline. Payton has a 170-105 overall record and notably coached the Saints to a Super Bowl win over Peyton Manning in 2009. In Year 2 with the Broncos, he snapped a near decade-long postseason drought with rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm.
1. Andy Reid, Chiefs
Average Salary: $20 Million
Is there anyone more deserving of the top spot on this list? No chance. Andy Reid has the most playoff appearances of all time (20) and the second-most playoff wins of all time (28). While Patrick Mahomes deserves plenty of credit for his success, Reid won 10 playoff games and went to five NFC title games before ever stepping foot in Kansas City’s facility. Reid was once known as the coach who could not get it done, but now, he’s set to compete for a fourth Super Bowl title in six seasons.
