GLENDALE – Nearly two weeks into the Arizona Cardinals head coaching search for 2026, and there are plenty of favorites for the job. Multiple from rival teams in the NFC West in either of the Los Angeles Rams coordinators, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the likely favorite in San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
However, 9NEWS Mike Klis reported on Sunday that Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has emerged as a strong candidates for the Arizona job, which has ruffled the feathers of fans on social media.
Aug 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Why fans are hesitant with Joseph:
Joseph has a lot to like about him as a candidate. A former NFL head coach with experience and has coached one of the best defensive units in the NFL the past two seasons in Denver. However, at 53 years old, he doesn’t quite fit the modern NFL head coach.
Jan 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts with quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
In 2017, when the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers hired Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan respectively it shifted the perspective for teams looking for their next head coach. McVay and Shanahan were both in their 30s when hired and offered this new style of coaching and schemes that has shaped the league for the past decade.
Teams are still following that formula, most recently with the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson. Chicago is on the verge of an NFC Championship appearance and has completed turned around the franchise.
Hiring young doesn’t automatically work, and even hiring previous head coaches can still turn out to be the best decision. The Broncos hiring Sean Payton and New England Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel to face off in the AFC championship next Sunday.
Oct 9, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Nfl Eagles At Cardinals
However, the difference between those examples and Joseph is the resume. Payton is a Super Bowl winning coach, and Vrabel made the playoffs three times and an AFC title game in his second year. Joseph inherited a Broncos roster that won the Super Bowl two seasons prior and failed to reach a .500 in his two years at the helm.
Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph calls out in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Joseph has ties to the Cardinals and understands the franchise very well. Despite that, when owner Michael Bidwill talks about wins and losses mattering, then allowing Joseph to be hiring when he hasn’t won as a head coach in Denver and as a defensive coordinator in Arizona.
With the top two names gone in the coaching market in John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski, teams are going to start looking out west for their next head coach. Despite being in the same division and geographical close to plenty of the candidates, the franchise seems to be step behind the curve when it comes to understanding how to win and what it takes to achieve those goals.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
