Of the ten NFL head coaching vacancies that opened up in recent weeks, six have already been filled. That leaves just four teams still searching: the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. And while it might seem like the AFC trio of Buffalo, Vegas, and Cleveland would have the biggest ripple effect on the Houston Texans, it’s actually the lone NFC team in that group - the Cardinals - that could end up shaking up Houston’s world the most.
Here’s why: Arizona’s coaching search is still wide open, and they’re casting a wide net. They’ve interviewed a mix of former head coaches like Arthur Smith, Matt Nagy, and Vance Joseph, as well as rising coordinators who have yet to lead a team. It’s that second group - the hot, first-time candidates - that Texans fans should be paying close attention to.
At the center of that conversation is Houston’s own defensive coordinator, Matt Burke. He’s already interviewed with the Cardinals, and while there’s no guarantee he’s hired away this cycle, his name is firmly in the mix.
And let’s be honest: losing Burke would be a major blow. He was the architect of the NFL’s top-ranked defense this past season, and his fingerprints are all over Houston’s identity on that side of the ball.
If Arizona pulls the trigger, the Texans would have a significant hole to fill - not just in terms of scheme, but in leadership and continuity.
But Burke isn’t the only AFC South name catching Arizona’s eye.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has emerged as a serious contender - in fact, he’s the only candidate to have interviewed with the Cardinals twice so far. That’s no small detail.
In the NFL hiring world, second interviews are often a strong signal that a team is closing in on a decision. If Campanile lands the job, it would cap off a meteoric rise for the 43-year-old New Jersey native.
Campanile’s NFL journey began just six years ago when he joined the Miami Dolphins as a linebackers coach after nearly a decade in the college ranks. Fast forward to 2024: after a strong season coaching linebackers in Green Bay, he was tapped to be the defensive coordinator on Liam Coen’s staff in Jacksonville.
The results? Impressive.
The Jaguars went from a bottom-five scoring defense to a top-ten unit in just one season under Campanile’s leadership. A big part of that turnaround came from their aggressive, opportunistic play - Jacksonville forced the second-most turnovers in the league in 2025, trailing only the Chicago Bears.
If Campanile does leave for Arizona, the ripple effect would be felt across the AFC South. Jacksonville is Houston’s top competition in the division, and a coaching shake-up like this could disrupt the Jags’ momentum heading into a pivotal 2026 campaign. Continuity matters, especially when you’re trying to build something sustainable - and both the Jaguars and Texans are in that phase right now.
Interestingly, there’s a bit of a mirror image between Campanile and Burke. Both hail from the Northeast.
Both played safety in college. Both have coached at Boston College and spent time on the Dolphins’ staff.
And now, both are in the running for the same job in Arizona.
For Houston, the Cardinals’ decision could end up being one of the most important moves of the offseason - even if it happens far from NRG Stadium. Whether it’s Burke heading west or Campanile leaving Jacksonville, the Texans will be watching closely. Because in a division where margins are razor-thin, a single coaching hire could shift the balance of power.