The Arizona Cardinals are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and one of the names on their radar is Charlie Bullen. According to reports, the team has officially requested an interview with Bullen, who wrapped up the 2025 season as the New York Giants’ interim defensive coordinator.
Bullen stepped into the DC role midseason after the Giants parted ways with Shane Bowen in November. Despite the turbulent timing, Bullen held his own, stabilizing a defense that had been struggling with consistency.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed - he was retained by new head coach John Harbaugh as the team’s outside linebackers coach heading into 2026. But with Arizona offering a potential promotion, Bullen could be looking at a bigger opportunity in the desert.
At 41, Bullen brings a well-rounded résumé. He got his start in coaching back in 2007 as an assistant at Iowa before making the jump to the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2012.
He spent several years in Miami honing his craft before landing in Arizona in 2019. There, he continued to climb the ladder, earning a promotion to outside linebackers coach in 2020.
After a brief stint at Illinois in 2023, Bullen returned to the NFL with the Giants in 2024. His quick rise to interim DC just a year later speaks to the level of trust he’s earned in coaching circles - and the kind of leadership presence teams like the Cardinals are clearly interested in.
For Arizona, bringing in Bullen would mark a return of sorts. He’s already familiar with the organization and some of its personnel, which could make for a smoother transition if he lands the job. The Cardinals are coming off a season where defensive identity was a work in progress, and they’re clearly looking for someone who can bring both structure and adaptability to that side of the ball.
Bullen’s track record - from college coaching roots to NFL experience across multiple franchises - gives him a unique blend of perspective and versatility. If he ends up in Arizona, he’ll have a chance to shape a defense in his own image, potentially taking the next big step in what’s already been a quietly impressive coaching journey.