The Cardinals are the NFL’s final head coach vacancy and the right fit should be determined by what’s most important to Arizona leadership
The Cardinals went for it — but we kind of saw this one coming.
The Arizona Cardinals‘ last gasp for a big hire at head coach seems to have come up empty.
The Cardinals’ head coaching search has been a drawn out one amid the backdrop of a third of the league seeking out new head coaches. Moving on from former head coach Jonathan Gannon was an easily defensible position to take. But the search for the next answer has taken twists and turns that has now, apparently left the Cardinals with the last seat open on the carousel. Their final big fish, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, appears headed to Las Vegas.
Klint Kubiak reportedly passing on Cardinals to land in Las Vegas
These kinds of deals will be awkwardly left open for the next week as the Seahawks continue to prepare for Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots. But based on the reporting, this is all but done. For the Cardinals, it was always an ambitious ask to try to win the leverage battle against the Raiders, who have the No. 1 overall pick at their disposal as leverage to entice Kubiak. Arizona went for it anyway.
Now, the team’s options are to slink back to Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur if they want an offensive rooted coach, or turn to a number of defensive candidates who have earned in-person interviews this coaching cycle. Candidates would include Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. Those three are the reported options by ESPN’s Adam Schefter in the wake of the Kubiak decision.
Arizona deserves credit for trying to see their interview process through. But going to bat against a team with ammunition in the draft like Las Vegas was an ambitious ask — and now Arizona must go back to the drawing board and determine the best choice for their own transitional period and reset organizationally. If the Cardinals want the scheme guy, LaFleur should be the pick. If they want experience, Morris makes plenty of sense. Should they covet the leadership element? Anthony Weaver would be my bet having watched him up close in Miami the past two seasons.
All the other chairs are filled. It’s time for the Cardinals to pick a dance partner and get this thing rolling. What moves the needle for Michael Bidwell and company most? Scheme? Experience? Leadership? There’s a candidate for each — so make your choice.
Las Vegas Raiders News
Las Vegas Raiders’ open head coaching gig just got so much more enticing to Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
The Raiders are projected to have the second most cap space available.
