As the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching search drags into its 23rd day, the question hanging over the desert is a simple one: what’s the holdup?
When Anthony Campanile opted to stay put in Jacksonville with a new deal to remain the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, all signs pointed toward Mike LaFleur becoming the frontrunner in Arizona. The timing made sense, the connections were there, and the fit looked clean on paper. But now, things have taken another turn.
The Cardinals are reportedly bringing Klint Kubiak in for a second interview-a clear sign that the decision-making process is far from over. And while that doesn’t necessarily eliminate LaFleur from the running, it certainly reshuffles the deck.
So where does that leave things? Well, it’s possible LaFleur is still in the mix, just not the lock he appeared to be days ago.
The Cardinals could be doing their due diligence, making sure they explore every angle before locking in their next head coach. Or they could be pivoting, reevaluating their top choice after further internal discussions.
What’s clear is that the Cardinals are taking their time-and they’re doing it on their terms. There hasn’t been much communication from the team itself during this process.
Their official account hasn’t posted anything coaching-related since January 22, outside of a repost about the Waste Management Open. That radio silence might be frustrating for fans, but it also suggests the organization is staying tight-lipped until they’re ready to make a move.
This entire hiring cycle has been anything but straightforward. The Cardinals have kept things close to the vest, and while that might not satisfy the curiosity of the fan base or media, it could indicate a methodical approach behind the scenes. Whether that leads to LaFleur, Kubiak, or someone else entirely, Arizona is clearly taking its time to get this one right.
And honestly, given the stakes, that’s not a bad thing.