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Saturday, February 21, 2026

New Broncos Coach Sean Payton Could Earn $100M in Five Years

  • Sean Payton was formally introduced as the Denver Broncos’ head coach on Monday.
  • He will reportedly earn between $17 million and $20 million per season.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos’ new coach could be among the highest-paid in the league.

Sean Payton was formally introduced as the Broncos’ head coach on Monday, and his contract is estimated to be between $17 million and $20 million per season, with NBC Sports specifying it’s at least a five-year deal “in the neighborhood of” $18 million per season.

  • Payton, who spent 2022 as an analyst on Fox Sports, was looking for $20 million to $25 million, according to ProFootballTalk. 
  • The Broncos had to trade for Payton, as he was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, where he coached from 2006-21.

If Payton were able to reach the $20 million marker, he would match New England Patriots coach Bill Belichickreportedly the highest-paid NFL coach.

The team was sold last year for $4.65 billion to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, the most ever paid for a North American sports franchise.

Payton’s Plan

The Broncos ended the season in the AFC West cellar with a 5-12 record and had the fewest points in the league — despite signing Russell Wilson to a contract extension reportedly worth $245 million over five years with the second-most guaranteed money in NFL history.

“I know he’s an extremely hard worker,” Payton said about Wilson. “That’s important. And I think you take that skill set, he’s won a lot of games in Seattle … then you go from there.”

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