The Arizona Cardinals are making moves-and fast.
Just days after bringing in Mike LaFleur to take over as head coach, the Cardinals kept the momentum going by hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator. That’s two major hires in less than a week, signaling a clear intent: Arizona’s not wasting any time reshaping its identity on both sides of the ball.
But the front office isn’t stopping there. The Cardinals are now turning their attention to the defensive side, requesting interviews with several intriguing candidates to potentially lead the defense under LaFleur. While Don “Wink” Martindale’s name hasn’t surfaced in these early reports, the shortlist already includes some notable figures with diverse backgrounds and experience.
Charlie Bullen is one of the first names on the radar. He most recently served as the interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, stepping into a challenging role midseason.
But Bullen’s connection to the Cardinals runs deeper-he was part of the Arizona staff during the Kliff Kingsbury era, working with both inside and outside linebackers. That familiarity with the organization could give him a leg up, especially as the team looks for someone who can hit the ground running with institutional knowledge and a rapport with returning players.
Another candidate is Aubrey Pleasant, a 38-year-old coach with a résumé that spans some of the NFL’s most respected defensive units. Pleasant has spent time with Washington, the Rams, Lions, Packers, and most recently returned to Los Angeles as the Rams’ defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator.
His expertise in the secondary and his ability to develop young talent have made him a respected voice in league circles. If Arizona is looking to modernize its pass defense and bring in someone with a strong track record of communication and development, Pleasant fits the bill.
Then there’s Dino Vasso, also 38, who’s quickly becoming one of the NFL’s rising defensive minds. As the defensive backs coach for the Houston Texans, Vasso helped turn the Texans’ secondary into the league’s top-ranked passing defense this season.
That’s no small feat, especially considering the youth and turnover in Houston’s defensive backfield. His work developing that unit has drawn praise across the league, and now he’s firmly on Arizona’s radar.
Each of these candidates brings something different to the table-Bullen with his familiarity, Pleasant with his versatility and experience across multiple systems, and Vasso with his recent success in building a top-tier pass defense. It’s clear the Cardinals are casting a wide net in their search, looking for the right fit to complement LaFleur and Hackett as they begin a new era in the desert.
Arizona’s offseason is off to a fast and fascinating start. With key hires already in place on offense and a strong list of potential defensive coordinators in the pipeline, the Cardinals are setting the tone early-and the rest of the NFC should be paying attention.