Monti Ossenfort might not have been Cardinals’ 1st choice for GM

Jay Glazer reports that the Cardinals offered Bears asst. GM Ian Cunningham the job but had that offered turned down.

The Arizona Cardinals announced on Monday that former Tennessee Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort was hired to be the team’s new general manager. He replaced Steve Keim, who stepped down after 10 years to focus on his health.

However, Ossenfort might not have been the Cardinals’ first choice.

Owner Michael Bidwill said he interviewed seven candidates. Three were internal candidates and four external.

One of the external candidates was Ian Cunningham, Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager.

According to Jay Glazer, Cunningham was offered the Cardinals’ job but turned it down.

That is interesting news. Both Cunningham and Ossenfort are both more than qualified for the job, but this is not good news to hear that the Cardinals did not get to land their first choice.

It might not end up being anything, as Ossenfort seems to be the right guy for the job, but what happens with Cunningham over the next several years will be telling.

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