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The Top 10 Highest Paid Defensive Coordinators in the NFL in 2024
The Top 10 Highest Paid Defensive Coordinators in the NFL...
By Jocelyn Alano July 24, 2024 11:51
The defensive coordinator is the most important position on a coaching staff, or it isn't, depending upon circumstances. These chess maestros are behind game plans and playbooks, orchestrating everything on the defensive side. The effects of this on a team's overall performance cannot be understated, as more often than not, an effectively orchestrated defense can tip the scale from victory to defeat.
When we look at the compensations for some of the best defensive coordinators in this league, it helps explain a lot about where priorities fall and just how much blocking centers will continue to become major pieces. If we understand what leads to these higher salaries, then maybe it can help us all appreciate a little bit more how important defense coaching is and its potential impact on the team's success.
Highest Paid Defensive Coordinators in the NFL by 2024
1. Wink Martindale, New York Giants - $3.5 million
Martindale, a long-time NFL defensive coordinator, came to the Giants in 2022 and briskly oversaw a top-10 defense according to several important metrics. He is increasingly known as one of the league's most progressive and versatile defensive minds due to his aggressive, blitz-heavy philosophy.
2. Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys - $3.2 million
Quinn, a former head coach with the Atlanta Falcons, is partly responsible for helping turn around Dallas' defense. He has made the most of his defensive personnel and incorporated an all-around pressure-heavy system that helps keep him in high demand as one of the league's elite D-Coords.
3. Vic Fangio, Miami Dolphins - $3 million
Fangio, who joined the Dolphins in 2024 after spending several years as head coach with the Denver Broncos, is regarded as one of the most respected veteran coaches operating within professional football. His 3-4 defensive scheme is complex but effective, making him one of the top coordinator candidates.
4. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots - $2 million
Mayo has kept the Patriots tradition of defensive dominance alive, serving as linebackers coach and inside linebackers coach under all three head coaches since arriving in New England. His adaptability to his players' strengths and a disciplined, sound defensive scheme have been key aspects of their winning formula.
5. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans - $2 million
The 30-year-old Ryans, a former NFL linebacker, has emerged as one of the up-and-coming young coaches on that side of the ball. He helped rebuild the Texans' defense into one of the league's better units and garnered a rather large paycheck for it, in addition to some head coaching buzz.
6. Kris Richard, New Orleans Saints - $2.4 million
Richard is described as more aggressive in his ball-hawking mindset defensively than Dennis Allen after arriving with the Saints for 2023. His track record in developing young talent and turning takeaways has been instrumental to the team's defensive recovery.
7. Renaldo Hill, Los Angeles Chargers - $2.2 million
Hill, a former NFL defensive back, has given the Chargers defense another set of eyes. His commitment to pressure, taking away big plays, and getting the most out of his guys has turned that unit into one of the league's best defensively.
8. Don "Wink" Martindale, New York Giants - $2.1 million
Martindale is an established play-caller known for exotic blitz packages and an uber-aggressive, attacking football approach as a career coordinator. Martindale has helped morph the Giants' defense since joining New York in 2022.
9. Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks - $2 million
Macdonald is an up-and-coming young coach who held the same title with the Baltimore Ravens until landing this job as Seattle's defensive coordinator. Thus, his talent in molding children and a tough love ethos towards basic execution have propelled him to perhaps the league's most desired assistant.
10. Brian Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers - $1.9 million
Flores arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday and brought his defensive know-how to the Steelers. His attacking, high-pressure style of play and willingness to get the best out of his players have been central in their defensive revival.
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