Ben Johnson Salary: Chicago Bears Secure New Head Coach With $65m Deal

The Chicago Bears have confirmed their appointment of Ben Johnson as head coach, finalising a contract that places him among the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.

Johnson, one of the most sought-after figures in the league’s recent coaching cycle, had attracted interest from several franchises before agreeing to terms with Chicago.

He had previously turned down head coaching offers last offseason, choosing instead to remain with the Detroit Lions as offensive coordinator in pursuit of a Super Bowl title.

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Contract details

According to ESPN reporter Courtney Cronin, the Bears have agreed a five-year contract worth $65 million, equating to an annual salary of $13 million.

The deal reflects strong competition for Johnson’s services, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders also reported to have expressed interest. Detroit had earlier made Johnson one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators in an effort to retain him.

With this agreement, Johnson currently ranks ninth among NFL head coaches in annual salary.

Market context

While the figure represents a significant financial commitment by the Bears, it remains below the salaries of the league’s highest-paid head coaches.

For comparison, former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh earned approximately $17 million per year prior to his departure, setting a benchmark at the top end of the market.

NFL coaching salaries are not subject to the league’s salary cap, allowing teams greater flexibility when competing for high-profile candidates.

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Early on-field returns

From a performance perspective, the Bears’ investment has delivered immediate results.

In his first season in charge, Johnson led Chicago to a division title and secured the NFC’s second seed. The team’s offence finished inside the top ten of Pro Football Sports Network’s Offense Impact Metric.

Chicago is set to host long-time rivals Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Highest-paid NFL head coaches

Despite Johnson’s substantial contract, several established coaches continue to earn more annually.

Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Estimated salary: $20m per year
Reid remains the NFL’s highest-paid head coach. The Chiefs extended his contract through the 2029 season, reflecting his sustained success and multiple Super Bowl titles.

Sean Payton, Denver Broncos

Estimated salary: $18m per year
The Broncos acquired Payton in 2023 in a deal involving draft compensation. Reports from NBC Sports indicate his contract is worth around $18m annually. He has since guided Denver back to the playoffs.

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Estimated salary: $16m per year
Tomlin signed a three-year extension through 2027. He holds the NFL record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a head coaching career.

Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers

Estimated salary: $16m per year
Harbaugh returned to the NFL in 2024 after success at the University of Michigan. His five-year, $80m deal was followed by an 11-win season and a playoff appearance in his first year with the Chargers.

Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams

Estimated salary: $15m per year
McVay, the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl, reportedly received a pay increase to remain with the Rams after interest from broadcasters, including Amazon.

Outlook

Johnson’s appointment signals a decisive move by the Bears as they seek long-term stability and sustained success.

While his salary places him firmly among the league’s elite, the franchise appears willing to pay a premium for a coach viewed as one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds.

The longer-term value of that investment will be judged on results in the seasons ahead.