Renowned NFL Insider Tom Pelissero confirmed on Monday that Andy Reid has become the highest-paid coach in the league upon signing a contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 66-year-old coaching mastermind will continue to lead Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs until 2029. The five-year deal effectively addresses speculations surrounding Reid’s retirement, giving the Chiefs a significant boost in their Super Bowl aspirations and three-peat target. Explaining the decision to make Reid the highest-paid coach, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt revealed that he had promised Reid that he would receive such compensation when the time was right. After three Super Bowl wins in just five years, it became evident that the time had indeed arrived. Reid enjoyed the support of the entire Chiefs team, particularly Patrick Mahomes. Notably, the Chiefs have not disclosed the contract amount, leading to speculations that Reid may be receiving an annual salary between $18 million and $20 million. This is based on the fact that the previous highest-paid active head coach, Sean Payton, reportedly received $18 million annually, as per the Broncos Wire. Interestingly, Reid was previously considered an underpaid head coach, with a salary of $11.5 million before the extension. This is a common trend among NFL coaches, who typically receive lower salaries compared to quarterbacks and other skill players. For instance, the average salary for a head coach in the NFL and college football is around $8 million, which is considerably lower than the salaries of top players. While Reid could not surpass Bill Belichick’s $25 million annual payout, the Chiefs HC aims to improve his tally of 258 regular season wins and help the Chiefs achieve a three-peat. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick’s absence in the 2024 season has elevated Andy Reid to the position of highest-paid and statistically best head coach in the league. Among the other highly paid coaches, Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh are reportedly set to receive annual salaries of $18 million and $16 million, respectively. Reacting to the extension, Andy Reid expressed immense gratitude to the Chiefs’ Kingdom. Interestingly, all three highest-paid head coaches – Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, and Sean Payton – are now in the same division, making the AFC West a division to watch out for in 2024. With no other major extensions expected in the next two years, Coach Reid is likely to remain the highest-paid coaching official until 2026, leading his division and continuing to shape the NFL landscape.
Andy Reid Becomes Highest-Paid NFL Coach, Extends Contract with Chiefs
