The Bears are receiving plenty of positive remarks for their recent four-year extension ($5 million average) and raising head coach Lovie Smith's salary this season from $1.45 to $3.5 million. For Smith, it is a well-deserved raise.

However, Smith's new deal probably will pale in comparison to other elite NFL head coaches, especially if someone like Bill Cowher returns to the sidelines in 2008 for $8-10 million a season.

Also, Smith's 2007 salary is almost $2 million south of the $5.4 million that Jeff Fisher will cash in Tennessee. And, Fisher could be looking for a $20 million package for the next three seasons if he extends. If he lands that deal, Fisher would be averaging $6.6 million for 2008-2010.

What really hampered Smith in negotiations was how much he already trailed the league's top coaches. When you're the lowest-paid head coach in the league, it's tough to jump into the top ten.