Do NFL Coaches Get Paid After Being Fired? Contract Explained
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
In the NFL, the end of a coaching tenure doesn’t always mean the end of a paycheck. When a head coach or coordinator is fired, their contractual obligations and guarantees often require teams to continue paying out money, sometimes for years, even if the coach never returns to the sidelines. This system is rooted in the structure of NFL coaching contracts and has significant financial implications for both teams and coaches.
As speculation grows around coaching changes in the 2025-26 season, many fans are asking the same question: Do NFL coaches get paid after being fired?
How NFL Coaching Contracts Work
NFL coaching contracts are legally binding agreements between a coach and a team that outline:
- Base salary
- Bonuses and incentives
- Guaranteed money
- Buyout provisions
These deals typically span multiple years.
Guaranteed Money — The Key Factor
The most important factor in determining whether a fired coach continues to receive pay is the guaranteed money. In the NFL:
- Coaches with guaranteed contracts are entitled to the remaining compensation even after dismissal.
- If a contract is not fully guaranteed, teams may owe only part of the remaining money, depending on the language.
Buyouts and Offset Provisions
When a coach is let go, their contract may call for a buyout, a lump sum, or scheduled payments owed by the team to the coach. Two major concepts determine how much a coach gets:
1. Buyout
- The team must pay the owed salary as defined in the contract if no offsets apply.
- Buyouts can be substantial, especially for longtime or elite coaches.
2. Offset Language
Many coaching contracts include an offset clause that allows teams to reduce what they owe if the coach signs with another NFL team. Example:
- Coach fired with $10 M left on deal
- New team hires them for $5 M per year
- The original team may only owe the net difference ($5 M) if the offset language applies
Examples of Coaches Getting Paid After Firing
NFL history has many examples of coaches continuing to get paid after dismissal:
- Tom Coughlin: Continued to collect significant payouts from the Jacksonville Jaguars after being fired before eventually working elsewhere.
- Jeff Fisher: Received full compensation after being let go by the Rams despite early firing.
Are Assistant Coaches Paid After Firing?
Yes. Assistant coaches and coordinators often have multi-year contracts with guaranteed portions. When fired, they may receive a buyout or remaining guarantees based on how their contract was written.
What Happens If a Coach Is Hired Elsewhere?
If a coach finds a new job after being fired, the two main scenarios are:
- With offset clause: The original team pays only the difference between what the coach would have earned and what they make with the new employer.
- Without offset clause: The coach collects both contracts in full, effectively doubling up on earnings.
