Cardinals Zero In on Robert Saleh as Coaching Search Heats Up
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals are making moves-and they're making them fast. With several head coaching vacancies around the league already filled, the Cardinals have zeroed in on one of the most intriguing names still on the board: San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Saleh, who’s already interviewed once with Arizona, is now scheduled for a second in-person meeting with the team on Tuesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. But there’s a wrinkle: he’s meeting with the Tennessee Titans on Monday. If the Titans don’t lock him up, Saleh will be on a plane to the Valley for round two with the Cardinals.
This sets up a bit of a coaching tug-of-war between Arizona and Tennessee. And make no mistake-Saleh is a hot commodity right now.
After a rocky end to his stint as head coach of the New York Jets, Saleh has reestablished himself in a big way. His return to San Francisco as defensive coordinator sparked a dramatic turnaround.
The 49ers went from a 6-11 team that ranked 29th in points allowed to a 12-5 squad that finished 13th in scoring defense. That kind of defensive rebound doesn’t happen by accident-Saleh brought structure, intensity, and a clear identity back to that side of the ball.
It’s no surprise then that BetOnline has Saleh as the second favorite to land the Cardinals job, trailing only Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. But while Joseph has ties to Arizona-he previously served as the team’s DC-Saleh’s recent success and leadership qualities have clearly caught the Cardinals’ attention.
Arizona’s interest is serious. So far, they’ve only requested second interviews with two candidates: Saleh and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
That short list says a lot about where their priorities lie. With other big-name candidates like John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, and Matt Hafley already off the market, Saleh is one of the last remaining top-tier options.
The Cardinals seem intent on not letting him slip away.
If Saleh does make it to that second interview in Arizona, it could be a pivotal moment in the team’s coaching search. The Cardinals are looking to make a statement hire-someone who can bring stability, energy, and a clear vision to a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels. Saleh checks a lot of those boxes.
Now, it’s a waiting game. If Tennessee passes, Arizona will get its shot. And if that meeting goes well, Robert Saleh could soon be calling the desert home.