Category: Arizona Cardinals offseason

Vance Joseph could fit as DC with either head coaching finalist

The Cardinals might want to keep Vance Joseph on as defensive coordinator under their new head coach, whoever that might be.

The Arizona Cardinals have two finalists to be their next head coach, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. They are New York Giants offensive coordinator MIke Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals Lou Anarumo.

Vance Joseph, the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator for the last four seasons under Kingsbury, interviewed for the job but was eliminated from consideration. However, he was not released from his contract, suggesting the team would like to keep him on the staff.

He is under contract for one more year.

While not everyone would be excited about the possibility, Joseph might fit as the defensive coordinator for either candidate.

How?

Mike Kafka

Kafka would be a first-time head coach. If Joseph were retained as the defensive coordinator, it would be almost a repeat of when the Cardinals hired Kingsbury.

Joseph has been a head coach and can help Kafka with some of the minutiae that come with a head coaching job.

It would also allow for some continuity on defense with some of the team’s young players like Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.

Kafka and Joseph have not yet worked together but the dynamic could be where Kafka is the offensive head coach and Joseph is the defensive head coach.

Lou Anarumo

Anarumo is a defensive coordinator but has actually worked with Joseph before.

When Joseph was defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Anarumo was his defensive backs coach.

If Anarumo is hired as the Cardinals’ head coach, Joseph could potentially remain as the DC but work under the framework of Anarumo’s scheme. Joseph can coach multiple fronts.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Brian Flores accepts Vikings’ DC job before 2nd HC interview with Cardinals

The Cardinals are now down to two head coaching finalists after Flores becomes the Vikings DC.

The Arizona Cardinals’ list of three candidates to become their next head coach has now been trimmed down to two. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores will not be the Cardinals’ next head coach.

Per multiple reports, first by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Flores has accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Minnesota Vikings.

He was under consideration for that position, the Denver Broncos’ DC job and the Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy.

He was scheduled to have his second head coaching interview with the Cardinals this coming Wednesday.

This could be a case where Flores knew he was wanted on the Vikings and wasn’t sure where he stood with the Cardinals. Had he waited for the interview on Wednesday, perhaps the Vikings would have gone in a different direction.

His decision to take the job with the Vikings leaves the Cardinals with two remaining finalists — Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, scheduled to interview again on Tuesday, and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, scheduled to have his second interview on Friday.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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PODCAST: The Cardinals’ coaching finalists; Shrine Bowl standout prospects

We have a new edition of the show, talking coaching candidates and draft prospects from the East-West Shrine Bowl.

We have a new podcast episode for the second day in a row. This time, Seth Cox joins me as we go over two major topics — the Arizona Cardinals coaching search and the NFL draft.

We talk about the Cardinals having narrowed their search to three candidates, although since the show was recorded, that number is down to two.

After that, Seth gives us his standout players from last week’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

Give it a listen. It’s a good one! Enjoy the show.

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

Here are the topics and timestamps from the show:

(1:00) The Cardinals’ three coaching finalists

(16:29) The standout prospects on offense from the Shrine Bowl

(33:52) Standout defensive players from the Shrine Bowl

WR A.J. Green announces retirement from NFL

Green finishes his career with 727 receptions for 10,514 yards and 70 touchdowns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoVOuM2JWLn/?hl=en

For the second time in a little over a month, a member of the Arizona Cardinals has announced his retirement.

Wide receiver A.J. Green revealed via his Instagram account that his NFL career is over.

I’ve never been a man of many words, so I’ll keep this short.

Thank you. Thank you to all who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my career. Special thank you to the University of Georgia, Cincinnati Bengals, and Arizona Cardinals for the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’ve stayed true to the game and it owes me nothing. Be blessed.. Love y’all! The next chapter begins…

Green was selected No. 4 overall by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL draft and spent a decade in Cincinnati. After three injury-plagued years with the Bengals, he signed with the Cardinals in 2021.

That season, he caught 54 passes for 848 yards and three touchdowns, his highest totals since 2017.

He only had 24 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 but had a 77-yard touchdown catch in his final game.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven NFL seasons and finished his career with 727 receptions for 10,514 yards and 70 touchdowns.

Green’s retirement leaves another hole to fill for the Cardinals, who saw defensive end J.J. Watt announce his retirement in late December.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Lions DC Aaron Glenn eliminated from Cardinals’ coaching search

Glenn was supposed to get a second meeting but has been advised the Cardinals are moving forward without him.

The Arizona Cardinals were expected to meet with Detroit Lions Aaron Glenn for the second time about their vacant head coaching job. That meeting either happened or the team changed its mind.

Multiple reports have come out saying that the Cardinals have narrowed their search to replace Kliff Kingsbury down to three candidates.

Glenn, along with Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, were advised that they are no longer under consideration for the job.

The three candidates remaining are Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Steelers defensive assistant and former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Vance Joseph out of running as Cardinals HC but not released from contract

Vance Joseph has been informed he will not be the Cardinals’ next head coach but he might still end up remaining as their DC.

The Arizona Cardinals have narrowed their search for a head coach to three candidates. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, one of the first to interview for the job, is out of the running, according to reports.

Joseph, however, has not been released from his contract. He signed a two-year extension before last season. That means that he could remain with the Cardinals in his current role. He cannot yet interview for other DC jobs. Many teams have reported interest in him if he is released from his contract.

The three coaching finalists are reportedly Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Bengals DC Lou Anarumo and Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores.

If Kafka were named head coach, Joseph could remain the defensive coordinator. That would be a situation similar to when he was hired in 2019. Kliff Kingsbury had not been an NFL head coach, and neither has Kafka. Joseph has.

Joseph worked with Anarumo on the staff of the Miami Dolphins in 2016, when Joseph was defensive coordinator and Anarumo coached the defensive backs.

Joseph has not worked with Flores previously.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Ejiro Evero named DC for Carolina Panthers

Evero interviewed for the Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy. He joins Frank Reich in Carolina, who also interviewed for the Cardinals’ job.

The Arizona Cardinals saw another of their head coaching candidates get another job on Sunday. The latest is former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Evero was one of the first candidates the Cardinals interviewed last month for their vacant head coaching position. Evero did not get a second interview and now joins new Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich as the Panthers’ new defensive coordinator, the team announced Sunday.

Reich also interviewed for the Cardinals’ vacancy.

The Cardinals are reportedly down to three finalists to replace Kliff Kingsbury as their new head coach — Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Brian Flores to get 2nd interview for Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy

Flores is one of three finalists for the Cardinals’ job. He was one of the first candidates interviewed last month.

The Arizona Cardinals have another candidate they will interview for a second time for their vacant head coaching job. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals will bring in former Miami Dolphins head coach and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores for the second time.

That interview will occur on Wednesday.

Flores was one of the Cardinals’ first interviews for the vacancy after Kliff Kingsbury was fired.

He has long been connected to the Cardinals since Monti Ossenfort was announced as the team’s new general manager. Both worked together on the New England Patriots for years. Flores, before joining Bill Belichick’s staff, was in the scouting department with Ossenfort.

He has been the betting favorite to get the job for a while.

Flores has interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with other teams.

The Cardinals are reportedly down to three finalists to be head coach. Flores is one of them, along with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

PODCAST: 3 coaching finalists, Kyler Murray’s role, Vance Joseph’s future

This new episode of the podcast has insight to the Cardinals’ coaching search.

We have a new episode of the podcast! This is a solo show with me and I cover three topics. First, it is the notion that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray could be the reason why the team has not yet hired a head coach.

Next, I look at the three apparent coaching finalists and, finally, I look at the role of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who many feel is still a viable candidate to be the Cardinals’ next head coach.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

The topics of the show and the timestamps:

(1:00) The supposed Kyler Murray problem

(8:39) Three coaching finalists

(16:50) What role Vance Joseph could have on the team in 2023

Cardinals expected to give Giants OC Mike Kafka 2nd interview

Kafka is one of three candidates expected to get a second interview for the Cardinals’ vacant head coaching job.

The Arizona Cardinals could be closing in on some finalists for their vacant head coaching position to replace Kliff Kingsbury. One candidate expected to get a second interview is New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Kafka, along with Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, will have a second interview this week after he interviewed for the first time last Tuesday.

According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, the timing of Kafka’s interview is to be determined but will be virtual.

Kafka was one of three new candidates interviewed last week after the Cardinals reset following their meeting with Sean Payton, who ended up getting hired by the Denver Broncos.

Kafka was an offensive coordinator only one season in 2022 for the Giants under head coach Brian Daboll. He was the offensive playcaller as well.

Before his year with the Giants, he was on Andy Reid’s staff with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2017-2021. He was offensive quality control coach in 2017 and from 2018-2021, he was their quarterbacks coach, helping Patrick Mahomes put up insane offensive numbers. He had passing game coordinator added to his title in 2020.

Kafka would give the Cardinals an offensive-minded coach who has experience with young quarterbacks. His work with Mahomes and Daniel Jones has been very good. Jones had a career year in 2022 for the Giants.

Kafka, Anarumo and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are the three candidates expected to receive a second interview with the Cardinals.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.