A common joke is that the NFL stands for “Not For Long.” Players have relatively short careers, and head coaches have very little job security.
Which coaches have built enough credibility to feel safe after transforming their franchises into consistent contenders? And which teams have recently rolled the dice on a new leader to spark a turnaround? The list of the NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches offers a valuable perspective on just how fleeting coaching tenures can be in today’s league.
Longest-Tenured NFL Head Coaches
- Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
18 years | 2007-Present - John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
17 years | 2008-Present - Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
12 years | 2013-Present - Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
8 years | 2017-Present - Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
8 years | 2017-Present - Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
8 years | 2017-Present - Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
6 years | 2019-Present - Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
6 years | 2019-Present - Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
5 years | 2020-Present - Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
4 years | 2021-Present - Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
4 years | 2021-Present - Brian Daboll, New York Giants
3 years | 2022-Present - Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
3 years | 2022-Present - Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
3 years | 2022-Present - Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 years | 2022-Present - Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
2 years | 2023-Present - Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
2 years | 2023-Present - DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
2 years | 2023-Present - Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
2 years | 2023-Present - Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
Second year | 2024-Present - Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Second year | 2024-Present - Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Second year | 2024-Present - Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Second year | 2024-Present - Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
Second year | 2024-Present - Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Hired after 2024 NFL season - Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints
Hired after 2024 NFL season
NOTE: The Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan after just six games into the head coach’s second season with the franchise.
Who Is the NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coach?
Mike Tomlin wasn’t even old enough to run for President when the Steelers hired him in 2007 at just 34 years old. Now, in 2025, he stands as the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, and remarkably, he’s never had a losing season. Even more impressive, Tomlin is only the third man to lead Pittsburgh since 1969, a testament to the franchise’s unmatched loyalty, stability, and enduring standard of excellence.
MORE: NFL Head Coach All-Time Wins Leaders
For perspective, the Carolina Panthers have gone through three times as many head coaches in 26 fewer years, a stark contrast to the Steelers’ steadfast commitment to continuity.
Tomlin officially surpassed Bill Belichick’s record when the longtime Patriots coach and New England mutually parted ways on January 11, 2024, closing the book on Belichick’s iconic 24-season run in Foxborough.
Who Are the Highest-Paid NFL Coaches?
While the NFL Players Association and salary-cap sites like Over the Cap and Spotrac meticulously track player salaries, head coach contracts remain far more opaque. Still, estimates from outlets such as Sportico and Front Office Sports help shed light on what the league’s highest-paid sideline leaders are making. Here’s a look at the top five highest-paid head coaches in the NFL.
1) Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2025 salary: $20 million
Reid is widely regarded as the best head coach in the NFL, so it makes sense that he’s also the league’s highest-paid coach.
The Chiefs extended Reid last April, keeping him under contract through 2029 and making him the NFL’s highest-paid head coach. Since taking over in 2013, Reid has turned Kansas City into a modern dynasty, winning three Super Bowl titles. While much of that success is linked to Patrick Mahomes, Reid’s history of innovation and sustained excellence stretches well before the quarterback’s arrival.
Combining regular-season and postseason victories, Reid ranks fourth all-time in total wins and holds a commanding lead over the next-winningest active coach, Mike Tomlin. He also stands second in playoff victories, trailing only Bill Belichick.
The only head coach to win 100 games with two franchises, Reid will be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he retires (although the 66-year-old has said that he’s open to coaching into his 70s, so he may not be retiring anytime soon).
2) Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
- 2025 salary: $18 million
After the disastrous Nathaniel Hackett experiment, the Broncos knew a bold move was needed, and hiring future Hall of Famer Sean Payton fit the bill. Competing with the Chiefs in the AFC West requires an aggressive mindset, and Denver demonstrated exactly that with its approach.
To acquire Payton’s rights, the Broncos traded a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.
In February 2023, NBC Sports’ Peter King reported that Payton signed a five-year contract “in the neighborhood” of $18 million annually. Considering the draft capital and money they gave up, the Broncos clearly expect Payton to turn the team into a perennial contender.
The Broncos used a first-round pick on Oregon QB Bo Nix, named him their starter for the 2024 season, and made him the first rookie captain in 57 years. Payton and Nix have developed a strong rapport, and the rookie has exceeded expectations, guiding Denver to the playoffs.
With a franchise quarterback in place and an offensive mastermind to help him reach his ceiling, the Broncos are positioned exceptionally well for the future.
3T) Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2025 salary: $16 million
Tomlin was hired as the Steelers’ head coach on January 27, 2007, and has since cemented his place in NFL history. He owns the record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to start a coaching career, a true reflection of his consistency and leadership. His “worst” seasons came in 2012, 2013, and 2019, when Pittsburgh finished 8-8.
Throughout his tenure, Tomlin has led the Steelers to 12 playoff berths, seven division titles, five trips to the Divisional Round, three AFC Championship appearances, and two Super Bowl appearances, including one victory.
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Tomlin has two Super Bowl rings to his name: one as an assistant coach and one as a head coach. He earned his first in Super Bowl 37 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach, and his second in Super Bowl 43 as the Steelers’ head coach.
On June 10, 2024, the Steelers and Tomlin agreed to terms on a three-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season. According to Front Office Sports, he’s earning $16 million annually.
3T) Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
- 2025 salary: $16 million
Harbaugh made a strong return to the NFL. After nearly a decade as Michigan’s head coach, he signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers last offseason.
Expectations were modest, with many projecting the Chargers to miss the playoffs. Instead, Harbaugh guided the team to 11 wins and a postseason berth, despite losing several key offensive players during the offseason.
Defensively, the Chargers evolved into one of the NFL’s premier units, allowing a league-low 17.7 points per game. Harbaugh reunited with Jesse Minter, bringing him over from Michigan as defensive coordinator, a move that has already proven to be a masterstroke.
Among active head coaches, Harbaugh ranks second in career winning percentage and eighth all-time, solidifying his reputation as one of the most accomplished and respected leaders in football.