Sean Payton vs. Mike McCarthy: Career Stats Comparison

Charlie Zschau Published: 18 hours ago

Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy have been a part of the NFL coaching landscape for decades, and the two coaches have had nearly identical careers.

Both Payton and McCarthy were hired for their first head coaching jobs in 2006, and have each won one Super Bowl with an MVP quarterback. The parallels don't stop there. Both got their starts in the NFC, and now find themselves coaching an AFC franchise in 2026.

Read on to compare Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy's NFL careers.

Sean Payton's NFL Head Coaching Career

Sean Payton was hired by the New Orleans Saints for his first NFL head coaching job in 2006, after previously working as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Giants and Cowboys. In 15 seasons with New Orleans, Payton led the team to three conference championship games, winning only one.

That one conference championship then led to the Saints first and only Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XLIV) by defeating the Indianapolis Colts at the end of the 2009 season.

Payton eventually stepped down from his head coaching position with the Saints after the 2021 season. After a year off, Payton signed as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. Last season, Payton took those Broncos to the AFC Championship game, but lost to the New England Patriots.

Mike McCarthy's NFL Head Coaching Career

Mike McCarthy also accepted his first NFL head coaching job in 2006, but with the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy led the "Cheese Heads" to the playoffs nine times in 13 seasons, and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV to win his first and only Super Bowl one year after Payton won his.

McCarthy left Green Bay in 2018, and went on to coach the Dallas Cowboys for five seasons (2020-2024). McCarthy led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons, and won two NFC East division titles before his departure.

In 2026, McCarthy has reunited with his Super Bowl XLV winning quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, on the Steelers as Mike Tomlin's replacement. This deal marks a homecoming for the McCarthy who is a Pittsburgh native.

Sean Payton vs. Mike McCarthy Career Stats

Sean Payton		Mike McCarthy
15	Seasons as a Head Coach	16
184-105	Regular Season Record	174-112-2
.636	Regular Season Win %	.608
9-9	Playoff Record	11-11
4	Conference Championship Games	4
1	Super Bowl Appearances	1
1	Super Bowl Wins	1

Sean Payton vs. Mike McCarthy Head-to-Head Record

Sean Payton	Score (Year)	Mike McCarthy
New Orleans Saints	51 - 29 (2008)	Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints*	27 - 28 (2012)	Green Bay Packers*
New Orleans Saints	37 -27 (2015)	Green Bay Packers

* Sean Payton was suspended for the game in 2012, so remains undefeated against McCarthy when they have lined up opposite each other on the sidelines.

Sean Payton vs. Mike McCarthy 2026 Matchup

Sean Payton's Denver Broncos will face Mike McCarthy's Pittsburgh Steelers in week 12 of the 2026 season. The game will be played at Empower Field in Denver on Friday, November 27, 2026.