Sean Payton Net Worth

What is Sean Payton's Net Worth?

Sean Payton is a retired American football coach who has a net worth of $35 million. Sean Payton's coaching career kicked off in the collegiate ranks, starting as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University in 1988. His early years were characterized by a series of assistant coaching positions across various colleges, including Indiana State, Miami University in Ohio, and Illinois. Each stint was a stepping stone, building his reputation as an innovative offensive mind.

The leap to the NFL came in 1996 when Payton joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a quarterbacks coach, working under Ray Rhodes. His impact was soon felt, and he quickly ascended the ranks. He served as the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants (1999-2000) and later their offensive coordinator (2000-2002), playing a pivotal role in their Super Bowl XXXV appearance.

Payton's big break came in 2006 when he was appointed the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He transformed the Saints, who had been struggling for years, into a powerhouse. His most significant achievement came in the 2009 season when he led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLIV, defeating the Indianapolis Colts. This triumph not only cemented his legacy but also brought hope and pride to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Known for his aggressive play-calling and ability to develop quarterbacks, Payton's influence extended beyond the field. He was a master at crafting offenses and maximizing player talents, most notably with quarterback Drew Brees, with whom he formed one of the most successful coach-quarterback tandems in NFL history.

However, Payton's career also faced challenges. In 2012, he was suspended for the entire season due to his alleged involvement in the Saints' "Bountygate" scandal, where players were purportedly paid bonuses for injuring opposing team players. This incident marked a controversial chapter in his otherwise stellar career.

Despite this setback, Payton's overall contributions to the game are undeniable. He finished his tenure with the Saints in 2021. In 2023 he joined the Denver Broncos.

Contracts & Salary

By the time of his initial retirement at the end of the 2021 NFL season, Sean Payton was bringing in a salary of $9.8 million. He retired in the final year of a 5-year $45 million contract extension singed in March 2016. And actually, that retirement was short-lived. In 2023 Sean was hired to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos. His salary at the Broncos is $18 million per year.

Early Life

Sean Patrick Payton was born on December 29, 1963, in San Mateo, California. He grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and played quarterback for Naperville Central High School. Sean Payton went on to play football at Eastern Illinois University where he was successful and helped lead the Panthers to an 11-2 record and quarterfinals of the Division 1-AA Playoffs in 1986.

Playing Career

Sean Payton was not drafted in the 1987 NFL Draft, but he received a tryout invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs for one day. During the inaugural season of the Arena Football League, Payton played quarterback for the Chicago Bruisers and Pittsburgh Gladiators before his rights were sold to the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. He became a member of the Chicago Bears during the 1987 NFL players strike before joining the Leicester Panthers of the professional UK Budweiser National League in 1988. He then returned to the United States to take up coaching.

Early Coaching Career

Sean Payton started off as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University. He also held assistant coaching positions at Indiana State University, Miami University, and Illinois. In 1997, Sean Payton landed the Quarterbacks Coach job with the Philadelphia Eagles. He then served as Quarterbacks Coach for the New York Giants before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator. And in 2003, Sean Payton joined Bill Parcells as an assistant head coach and Quarterbacks Coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He became a highly sought-after coach in 2004, so the Cowboys gave him a pay raise and then a promotion the next year to Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator.

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New Orleans Saints

In 2006, Sean Payton got his first head coach gig with the New Orleans Saints after the team struggled the year before during the Hurricane Katrina season. He paired with quarterback Drew Brees to turn the team around. They made the 2006 playoffs and advanced to their first NFC Championship appearance in franchise history. For his efforts, Sean Payton won the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. And following the 2009 season, the Saints won their first Super Bowl ever. Over his 16 years as head coach of the team, Sean Payton helped lead the Saints to three NFC Championship games (2006, 2009, 2018), nine total playoff berths, seven division titles, and the Super Bowl XLIV victory.

"Bountygate" Scandal

Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season as a result of being involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal in which "bounties" were paid out to defensive players under Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams who were able to successfully target and injure players on opposing teams. Payton's appeal was denied, and he was reinstated in January 2013.

Personal Life

Sean Payton was married to Beth Shuey until 2012. They have two children together: Their daughter Meghan who was born in 1996, and their son Connor who was born in 1999.