The Miami Dolphins were prepared to give former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton a five-year contract that would have paid him $100 million, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Monday.
The Saints, who still have Payton's contract rights through 2023, did not grant permission for the Dolphins to interview the Super Bowl-winning coach after he decided to step down in January. Any team that attempts to hire Payton through the 2023 season will have to compensate the Saints through a trade.
The Dolphins' reported contract offer would have become the NFL's second $100 million deal after the Raiders hired Jon Gruden in 2018 for $100 million, but that deal would have been spread out over 10 years. Gruden was fired by the Raiders during the 2021 season.
At $20 million per year, Payton would have easily been the highest paid coach in the NFL.
Rams coach Sean McVay is reportedly making $15-18 million per year after signing an extension. Patriots coach Bill Belichick makes $12.5 million and Pete Carroll of the Seahawks checks in at $11 million per year.
Fox Sports has hired Payton as an NFL studio analyst for the 2022 season.