Cardinals add another defensive specialist to head coach search

4 days ago 2

The Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching search has its newest — and perhaps most exciting — candidate.

According to multiple reports, the Cardinals requested an interview with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The Falcons and Titans are also reportedly in the running for Hafley.

The Cardinals have now requested interviews with eight candidates.

Of that group, five are defensive-minded: 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and now Hafley.

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On the offensive side, the Cardinals have requested interviews with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Patriots pass-game coordinator Thomas Brown.

The Cardinals have reportedly scheduled interviews with Joseph, Weaver, Morris and Nagy.

Among the eight names on the Cardinals’ current list, Hafley stands out as a coach on the forefront of football’s defensive evolution. The Packers defense out-performed its talent level to finish as a top-10 unit in 2024, although the production has been less consistent this season.

In a sense, hiring Hafley would follow the blueprint established by the Seahawks two years ago, when they hired Mike Macdonald. As a young, playcalling, defensive head coach, Macdonald has helped the Seahawks neutralize Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan — two of the league’s best offensive minds, both of whom reside in the NFC West.

Two other names to watch for in that regard are Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.

While the recently-fired Jonathan Gannon was also a defensive head coach, he did not call plays, instead handing that duty to defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.

There are certainly risks associated with Hafley. He would need to nail his offensive coordinator hire to maximize a potential rookie quarterback, something he couldn’t do as the head coach at Boston College, when he cycled through three offensive coordinators in four years.

But it’s the type of high-upside risk that the Cardinals might need to reverse their fortunes in the NFL’s most competitive division.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals add intriguing name to head coach search

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