Apparently Kliff Kingsbury is so nice, he gets paid twice.
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is one win away from the Super Bowl in his first year with the team. The Commanders’ offense was seventh in total yards, third in rushing yards and fifth in points this season. Before coming to Washington, Kingsbury was a senior offensive assistant for USC.
Kingsbury found himself back in college after four seasons as head coach with the Arizona Cardinals. As head coach, Arizona had a record of 28-37-1, including a playoff appearance in 2021. Arizona fired Kingsbury 10 months after giving him a contract extension that goes through the 2027 season.
Here’s a breakdown of Kingsbury’s contract situation.
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Kliff Kingsbury Cardinals Contract
Kingsbury was originally signed to a four-year, $22 million contract in 2019 with the Cardinals.
Arizona gave Kingsbury an extension in 2022, a five-year guaranteed contract that pays $7.5 million per year. Unless Arizona decides to purchase Kingsbury’s contract, the Commanders OC will receive a severance package from the Cardinals through 2027.
Arizona signed head coach Jonathan Gannon to a five-year contract after firing Kingsbury.
Kliff Kingsbury Commanders Contract
Kingsbury signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Commanders in 2024.
After a year away from the NFL, Kingsbury decided he wanted to return to the league for a coordinator position. He received interest from the Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears, but ultimately decided to team up with first-year head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington.
Kliff Kingsbury’s Net Worth
Idol Net Worth estimated Kingsbury’s net worth to be $15 million in 2024. This number might not take into account his most recent contract with Washington. Although he had an uneventful playing career, jobs with Texas Tech, USC, the Cardinals and the Commanders amassed him significant wealth.
According to the Cardinals’ salary sheet for Kingsbury, it was estimated that he was going to get $30 million guaranteed. Now that money will come in the form of severance through 2027.
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Will Kliff Kingsbury pursue a head coaching job?
While Kingsbury received interest from several teams in the most recent coaching cycle, he declined interviews, choosing to focus on Washington’s playoff run for now. The Chicago Bears wanted to interview Kingsbury and potentially pair him with Caleb Williams, who he worked with at USC but ultimately hired Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.
NFL insider Peter Schrager said several teams with coaching vacancies didn’t even ask to meet or interview Kingsbury. He also noted:
“I’m seeing a lot everywhere that Kliff Kingsbury is a hot name for this team and this team and this team. Let me clear the record here: Unlike a lot of these other candidates, Kliff Kingsbury is still on the payroll of the Cardinals. Arizona his full salary from the time they laid him off three years ago.
“He’s not only doing this this year, he’s doing his entire 2025 interview and b) taking this job.”
Insider Adam Schefter echoed this sentiment.
“I think Kliff Kingsbury is very happy in Washington and he has an incredible quarterback.
He’s not rushing to become head coach again.”@Adamschefter #Pmslive pic.twitter.com/9r2gvoid7m
– Pat McAfee (@patmcafeeshow) January 20, 2025
These reports appear to indicate that Kingsbury will return to Washington next season, but head coaching positions with the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and Raiders are still open.
Washington faces the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on Fox.
