Cardinals’ Coaching Search Drags On - But Is There a Method to the Madness?
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals wasted no time hitting the reset button after a 3-14 season, parting ways with their head coach before most teams had even cleaned out their lockers. Owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort stood at the podium shortly after, promising an “aggressive but calculated” approach to finding the next leader of the franchise.
Now, eighteen days later, the NFL coaching carousel has spun fast and furious-nine teams have fired their head coaches, and five have already made their hires. Two of those hires, Robert Saleh and Jesse Minter, were candidates Arizona had interviewed.
That’s raised some eyebrows among fans who were told this search would be bold. Instead, it’s starting to feel like déjà vu.
A Familiar Pattern in the Desert
For Cardinals fans, this slow-burn approach to hiring a head coach isn’t exactly new. Since Bruce Arians was brought on in 2013, Arizona has consistently been one of the last teams to make its hire.
Arians, Jonathan Gannon, and Steve Wilks were all among the final hires of their respective cycles. The outlier?
Kliff Kingsbury, who was hired quickly-largely due to his unique college pedigree and lack of NFL experience, which made him a less-contested candidate.
This trend has left fans frustrated, especially as other franchises land high-profile names while Arizona waits. The perception is that the Cardinals often miss out on top-tier candidates, either because they move too slowly or because they’re unwilling to pay market value. Notably, the team hasn’t hired a former NFL head coach since 2004, and they reportedly passed on interviewing names like John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski-two coaches with proven track records-due in part to concerns over cost.
Is This Strategy or Just Stall Tactics?
There’s a theory floating around that Arizona’s slow pace isn’t just indecision-it’s economics. By waiting until they’re the last team with a vacancy, they effectively control the market.
With no other jobs available, top coordinators and even former head coaches may be more willing to accept a lower offer just to get back in the game. It’s a risky play, but one that could pay off if the right coach is willing to bite.
Hiring a coordinator is generally the cheaper route, and unproven candidates come with a lower price tag. But that also means more uncertainty. And after another disappointing season, the Cardinals can’t afford another miss.
Who’s Still in the Mix?
Despite the optics, Ossenfort and his staff haven’t been idle. They’ve interviewed over a dozen candidates and even conducted second interviews with some.
The challenge? Several of their top targets are still coaching in the playoffs.
Names like Klint Kubiak (Seahawks offensive coordinator), Mike LaFleur (Rams offensive coordinator), and Vance Joseph (Broncos) are all still in the mix, but their teams are still alive-at least for now.
That could explain the delay. The Cardinals may be waiting for the postseason dust to settle before making their move.
But even that theory has its cracks. The team recently scheduled an interview with Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile-a sign that they’re still casting a wide net rather than zeroing in on a single favorite.
A Dark Horse Emerging?
One name that’s starting to gain quiet momentum is Mike LaFleur. The Rams’ offensive coordinator hasn’t been the headline grabber in this cycle, but he fits the mold of what Arizona might be looking for: young, innovative, and not yet commanding top-dollar. If the Cardinals are playing the long game and looking for value, LaFleur could be a sleeper candidate to watch.
The Bottom Line
This coaching search has been anything but flashy, and for a fan base that’s grown tired of waiting, that’s understandably frustrating. But behind the scenes, the Cardinals may be playing a more strategic game-one that prioritizes patience and leverage over speed and splash.
Still, patience only works if it leads to the right hire. Arizona’s next head coach won’t just be taking over a team in transition-they’ll be tasked with changing the narrative around a franchise that’s too often been on the outside looking in.
Whether this slow, methodical approach leads to that kind of turnaround remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the clock is ticking, and the Cardinals can’t afford to get this one wrong.