The Arizona Cardinals are still weighing their options when it comes to naming a new defensive coordinator, but they’ve added another name to the mix-and it’s one that could shake things up within the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Karl Scott has reportedly interviewed for the Cardinals' defensive coordinator vacancy. Scott, who’s been with Seattle since 2022, brings a strong track record of developing secondary talent. His unit has been one of the league’s more impressive groups in recent seasons, with players like Julian Love, Coby Bryant, Quandre Diggs, Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, and 2025 rookie Nick Emmanwori all making significant contributions.
What makes Scott an intriguing candidate is his ability to get the most out of a young, athletic secondary. Under his guidance, Seattle’s defensive backs consistently played fast, physical football-traits that would fit well with what Arizona is trying to build on that side of the ball. His retention on Mike Macdonald’s new coaching staff in Seattle also speaks volumes about how he’s viewed internally.
Scott’s coaching roots run deep. Before joining the Seahawks, he spent the 2021 season as the defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings under Mike Zimmer.
And prior to that, he built up his résumé in the college ranks, working with defensive backs at Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech (where he coached under former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury), and Alabama under Nick Saban. That’s a diverse coaching background spanning both pro and collegiate levels, and it’s helped shape his approach to secondary play and pass defense.
Arizona’s search has included several notable names. Gus Bradley, Wink Martindale, Aubrey Pleasant, Dino Vasso, and now Karl Scott have all been in the conversation.
Bradley has since taken the defensive coordinator job with the Tennessee Titans, while Vasso is off the board after signing an extension with the Houston Texans. Pleasant was once seen as the frontrunner, but his candidacy has cooled, and he’s now reportedly in the mix for the Cleveland Browns’ DC opening.
Nick Rallis, who has held the defensive coordinator role in Arizona for the past three seasons, is also believed to still be under consideration. That said, the fact that the Cardinals continue to explore external candidates suggests they’re at least open to a new direction.
If Arizona does decide to hand the reins to Karl Scott, it would mark his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator at the NFL level. But given his track record of developing talent and his experience across multiple systems, it’s not hard to see why the Cardinals are intrigued. Whether he gets the nod or not, Scott’s name is one to keep an eye on-not just in Arizona, but across the league.