The Cincinnati Bengals could be losing a key member of their coaching staff this offseason, but the good news is that they have an obvious replacement that they could (try to) hire.

Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is reportedly receiving a second interview from the Arizona Cardinals this week.

According to NFL Network's Albert Breer, Anarumo is one of two known finalists for the Cardinals' head coaching job (along with New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka).

The Cardinals will conduct a second interview with Bengals DC Lou Anarumo on Friday, with Giants OC Mike Kafka also set to get a second interview (timing TBD on that one), per sources. The interviews, as of now, are set to be done over Zoom.

Those are the only 2 known finalists.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 4, 2023

It sounds like there's a very real chance that Anarumo gets the Arizona job — though it's also possible he returns to Cincy in 2023.

However, if Anarumo does end up landing the Cardinals job, the Bengals have a no-brainer solution.

If Anarumo leaves, then Cincinnati needs to try to hire Ejiro Evero, who most recently served as the Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator.

Not much went right in Denver last season, but the defense at least played well. The Broncos had the No. 14 scoring defense in the NFL in 2022.

Evero was released from his contract with Denver this week so he can pursue other opportunities (it appears new Broncos head coach Sean Payton wants to go in a different direction with the defense).

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that Evero is a strong candidate to join the Minnesota Vikings, but he might be interested in waiting to see if the Cincinnati job opens.

Sources: The #Broncos are allowing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he’s expected to interview with the #Vikings. He’s considered a strong candidate in Minnesota, along with Brian Flores.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2023

Evero and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spent two years together on the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff (2017 and 2018). Evero was the Rams' safeties coach while Taylor served as an assistant wide receivers coach (2017) and quarterbacks coach (2018) in Los Angeles.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell also spent two years with Evero on the Rams' staff so there's familiarity with both head coaches.

The Bengals, though, could have the more attractive opening. Cincinnati has proven over the last two years that they're an annual Super Bowl contender. I think it has to be considered the more attractive job right now.

We're obviously getting ahead of ourselves a bit here — we still don't know what will happen with Anarumo — but it's nice to know that Cincy could have an answer if Anarumo leaves for Arizona.

Update: 

Evero was hired by the Panthers to be their new defensive coordinator on Sunday afternoon.

Featured image via Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK