McCarthy's New Deal Will Make Him One of the NFL's Highest Paid Coaches

As if the past fortnight hasn't been exciting enough for the Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers were met with more interesting news yesterday, as Mike McCarthy is set to become one of the highest paid coaches in the NFL.

According to JSOnline.com, sources predict McCarthy's new contract will see him earn an average of $5 million a year, in comparison to his $4 million deal reached back in January of 2008.  It will also ensure that McCarthy will be part of the team up until the 2015 season.

All of this comes just days after general manager Ted Thompson came to contract terms with CEO Mark Murphy, reaching an agreement which exceeds his previous deal set to last until 2012.  Now, Thompson is likely to be present through to 2015, despite some doubt that he may have chosen to take a backseat after accomplishing his ultimate goal.

Wisely, Murphy had the right intentions in mind this offseason.  It is only early days yet, but already the Packers have gone about signing two of their most important men to similar deals, just nine days after a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So what are the big names McCarthy will find himself up against?

If all goes to plan, McCarthy will be amongst the likes of many top rank coaches.  So far Lovie Smith (Bears), Jim Harbaugh (49ers), Tom Coughlin (Giants), Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals) and Sean Payton (Saints) all earn up to and over $5 million, and with McCarthy now entering the same category, the tally increases to six.

But perhaps the reputation advantage McCarthy has over Smith, Harbaugh and Whisenhunt, is the fact that he has won a Super Bowl.

Other coaches earning below the $5 million mark include Jack Del Rio (Jaguars), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Rex Ryan (Jets), Mike Smith (Falcons) and John Harbaugh (Ravens).  Pending the CBA fiasco, a paycheck argument could be made for either of these five men in the future.

McCarthy on the other hand isn't in the $6 million class that features Bill Belichick (Patriots), Jeff Fisher, Pete Carroll (Seahawks) and Andy Reid (Eagles), although that isn't to take away from his efforts since joining the team in 2006.

The Packers have chosen to extinguish personnel issues early, rather than waiting four weeks before contracts are due to expire.  Other teams usually choose the easier option by dealing with it closer to the scheduled date, but the Packers continue to stay old school about it.

What else is new?

Not much.  Thompson remains a part of the team, and McCarthy's first ever ring has earned him a hefty paycheck.  All of this leaves a positive vibe when considering Green Bay's chances at repeating next season.