Mike Macdonald and Dan Quinn’s Salaries Revealed Ahead of Sunday Night Football
The anticipation builds as the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks prepare for their upcoming clash on Sunday Night Football. Both teams, led by second-year head coaches, find themselves at crucial points in their respective seasons. The paths these coaches took to their current positions are noteworthy.
Coaching Changes and Career Moves
After parting ways with Pete Carroll, who had a long and successful tenure, the Seahawks sought a new leader. They ultimately hired Mike Macdonald, a defensive mastermind from the Baltimore Ravens. Conversely, the Commanders brought in Dan Quinn, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, hoping to revitalize their franchise.
Interestingly, both teams initially pursued Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who opted to remain with the Lions despite their compelling offers. This decision, however, seems to have worked out well for both the Commanders and the Seahawks.
2024 Season Highlights
The Commanders have emerged as a surprising contender this season, making a remarkable run to the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately, they fell short against the Philadelphia Eagles but showcased the potential of their new starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Daniels not only led his team impressively but also secured the Rookie of the Year award.
On the other side, the Seahawks under Macdonald’s leadership stunned critics by winning 10 games, narrowly missing the NFC West title. Despite significant roster changes, including trading Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, Seattle has found success. Sam Darnold has stepped up, leading the team with impressive MVP-caliber performances.
Salaries of Head Coaches
As the coaches’ performances have been noteworthy, their pay scales also reflect their career stages and successes. The following is a snapshot of the salaries among the top NFL head coaches:
| Rank | Coach | Team | Salary (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Reid | Kansas City Chiefs | $20m |
| 2 | Sean Payton | Denver Broncos | $18m |
| T-3 | Mike Tomlin | Pittsburgh Steelers | $16m |
| T-3 | Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers | $16m |
| 5 | Sean McVay | Los Angeles Rams | $16m |
| 6 | Kyle Shanahan | San Francisco 49ers | $15m |
| T-7 | Ben Johnson | Chicago Bears | $13m |
| T-7 | Kevin O’Connell | Minnesota Vikings | $13m |
| 9 | John Harbaugh | Baltimore Ravens | $12m |
| 10 | Liam Coen | Jacksonville Jaguars | $12m |
| T-11 | Dan Campbell | Detroit Lions | $11m |
| T-11 | Sean McDermott | Buffalo Bills | $11m |
| 13 | Mike Macdonald | Seattle Seahawks | $9m |
| 14 | Dan Quinn | Washington Commanders | $8.5m |
| 15 | Demeco Ryans | Houston Texans | $8m |
As both Macdonald and Quinn look to lead their teams further in the 2024 season, their contrasting journeys and salaries offer insight into the dynamic nature of the NFL coaching landscape. They aim to continue elevating their franchises as serious playoff contenders.
