What's the going rate for a Super Bowl-winning head coach? Turns out it's about a million bucks per game.
Slipped in among other items in his Football Morning in America column, Peter King reports Sean Payton will earn "in the neighborhood of" $18 million per year over his 5-year contract.
Sources tell FootballScoop Payton was earning approximately $15 million per year with the Saints.
Denver paid heavily to acquire Payton, not only in salary but also in extracting him from New Orleans. Still under contract with the Saints, Denver ceded its 1st round pick in this spring's draft and its 2nd round pick in 2024 in exchange for a 3rd round pick in '24 and the rights to Payton.
Payton could command such a salary for two reasons. One, he was unemployed, allowing him to continue playing the market until the right offer came along. Denver didn't have to compete with New Orleans or Fox, it had to compete against the possibility of what Payton could earn from some to-be-determined team in 2024. And two, Denver is paying for Payton's accomplishments in New Orleans, where he went 152-89 with nine playoff appearances, three NFC Championship appearances, and a Super Bowl title.
The irony, though, is that according to NFL history, Payton's Super Bowl title in New Orleans guarantees he won't win one in Denver. No coach in NFL history has led two teams to Super Bowl victories.
Jacksonville is trying to buck that trend with Doug Pederson, Dallas is with Mike McCarthy, and, now, Denver is trying to do the same.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.