The AFC has finally tamed the Kansas City Chiefs, and their elimination from this year’s postseason is beginning to pay dividends for the rival coaches. For some, quite literally.
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The Los Angeles Chargers became the talking point of the National Football League after their narrow 16-13 victory in Week 15 marked the end of the Chiefs’ decade-long playoff appearance streak. It sparked celebrations among rival fans across the nation.
There is more… The Chargers’ head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has about one million more reasons to celebrate than the next guy. In exchange for clinching a playoff spot in 2024, Harbaugh was given a $1-million contract bonus, and now that they’ve managed to accomplish the feat for a second year in a row, he figures to be receiving yet another bonus.
Given that Los Angeles has compiled an overall regular-season record of 22-10 since Harbaugh returned to the pros with them, it’s safe to say that their money has been well spent. According to ProFootballTalk, Harbaugh’s original deal will see him earn $16 million a year and will be good for five years.
That means an $80-million pledge for the Chargers if everything is fully guaranteed. While that may sound like a lot of cash, it’s only enough to make Harbaugh the third-highest-paid head coach in the NFL.
The front man of the Chiefs, Andy Reid, is still leading the way with a $20-million salary. Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos ranks just ahead of Harbaugh with a yearly income of $18 million.
Netting yourself an extra $2 million will surely feel good, though. But it’s unlikely that Harbaugh is willing to rest on his laurels for very long. After securing a playoff berth last season, the Chargers were promptly bounced from the first round by C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.
Now, here we are in the midst of Week 17, and that same Houston team has just ended the Chargers’ four-game win streak. So while most would be going home to count their newfound stack, Harbaugh will likely be going straight to the film room to begin preparing for a potential postseason rematch with this emerging nemesis of his.
It’s also worth mentioning that Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and even Lamar Jackson are all primed to be absent from this year’s postseason. That would leave Harbaugh with one of the best remaining quarterbacks in Justin Herbert in the playoffs and the potential to earn even more bonuses for himself.
Of course, as with everything else in the NFL, that’ll be easier said than done. But for now, it’s good to know that the Chargers are willing to spend what it takes to potentially find their first AFC Championship appearance since 2007.
