Why he's worth it
Whatever Bill Belichick wants, pay him up front. He ranks No. 1 all-time in playoff games coached and won. Through 18 years, the New England Patriots have won 15 division titles and five Super Bowls.
The organization has become the gold standard for every other NFL entity to follow. There's a reason why Belichick's assistants move on to become head coaches. The strong meaning behind the Patriots Way corresponds with his mantra, "Do your job (well)."
For the most part, players who suit up in New England have done their jobs well, and it shows in the regular-season standings, hard-fought playoff victories and the sheer disdain from opposing fans when they see the Patriots compete for a Super Bowl year after year.
Reason to be critical
There's one knock on Belichick that would apply to every entry on the highest-paid list: How much credit goes to the coach when paired with an exceptional quarterback? Tom Brady took the helm in 2001, and this team has only missed the playoffs twice: in 2002 and 2008. Brady sat out the latter campaign with a torn ACL, though New England still finished with an 11-5 record.
Nonetheless, would Belichick have experienced all this success—five Super Bowl wins and total domination in the AFC East—with any other quarterback?
Aside from his unsuccessful run as the Cleveland Browns head coach from 1991 to 1995, we don't have clear answers for that scenario. However, it's fair to think one of the greatest NFL coaches in history would've traveled a tougher road to an elite level without Brady.
