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Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals talks with referees during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs

Who are the lowest-paid coaches in the NFL in 2023? Ranking the top 5 coaches on the other end of the spectrum

There's no cause to feel sorry for the NFL's lowest-paid coaches. Still, they bring in more than $3 million a year. Some organizations only need one successful season to give long-term contract increases; last year, the Cincinnati Bengals inked head coach Zac Taylor to a deal that would extend until 2026.

The five lowest-paid NFL coaches in 2023

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#5 – Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers – $5 Million

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a penalty during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions

According to reports, Matt LaFleur's four-year deal with a fifth-year club option pays him an average of $5M per year. It is a respectable contract for someone who, before being hired as the Green Bay Packers head coach, spent just two years as an offensive coordinator and one year calling plays.

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With a combined total of 26 victories and just six defeats in his first two seasons, Matt LaFleur guided the Packers to a pair of 13-3 finishes, tying him for the second-best start by an NFL coach since the 1970 merger.

#4 - Robert Saleh, New York Jets – $5 Million

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Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on during the second half against the Miami Dolphins

Robert Saleh agreed to a five-year deal to lead the New York Jets in January 2021. His salary with the team is $5 million per year.

Saleh served as San Francisco's defensive coordinator for the preceding four years. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2016, he served as the linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It is widely known that Robert Saleh, the New York Jets head coach, has played a key role in their resurgence. Despite having a quarterback problem, he managed to improve the team's record from 4-13 in his first season to 7-10 in his second.

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The Jets performed stronger than their statistics suggested, and there is a good chance that their quarterback situation will be handled before the 2023 NFL season.

#3 - Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals – $4.5 million

Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs
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One of the NFL's youngest coaches is Zac Taylor. He was appointed by the Bengals as their head coach in 2019 at the age of 36, signing a three-season contract thanks to his success with the Los Angeles Rams. He extended his deal through 2026 last year. According to reports, he will now make $4.5 million a year.

His third season was fantastic, in contrast to his mediocre first two. The Bengals managed to finish 10-7 in Taylor's third season. Although they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56, Joe Burrow and Taylor's team should continue to compete in the AFC for the foreseeable future.

#2 - Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys – $4 million

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys speaks to the media during the NFL Combine
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Mike McCarthy's Dallas Cowboys contract is still in effect for another two years. The former head coach of the Packers agreed to a five-year contract to lead the Cowboys in 2020.

In 2006, he was appointed to lead an NFL team for the first time when the Packers hired him as their head coach. He was given a five-year contract extension in 2008, which saw his pay increase to $3.4 million annually.

He agreed to a five-year contract with the Cowboys in 2020. According to reports, he earns $4 million annually.

#1 - Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns – $3.5 million

Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks to the media during the NFL Combine
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According to NBC, head coach Kevin Stefanski is paid $3.5 million a year as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

In 2020, Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Cleveland Browns, following 13 years as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings. In January 2020, he agreed to a five-year contract with the Browns, becoming the team's 18th head coach.

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Edited by
Gaelin Leif
 
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