GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals were one of the first NFL teams to fire their head coach, following a disastrous 3-14 season. Following the news, owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort spoke at a press conference claiming that the team will be aggressive but calculated when searching for the franchise’s next head coach.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Eighteen days have past and nine other teams have fired their head coach, with five of finding their replacement. Two of those teams hired candidates that Arizona interviewed in Robert Saleh and Jesse Minter, making fans question the Cardinals “aggressive” approach.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort speak to the press from the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe after the decision to fire head coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5, 2026. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Why are Cardinals always last?
Since the hiring of Bruce Arians in 2013, the Cardinals are usually the last one to pick their guy. The franchise were or nearly last to hired Arians, Jonathan Gannon and Steve Wilks compared to other teams searching for a head coach. The only exception was the hiring of Kliff Kingsubry because of his collegiate background and zero NFL experience.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort watches training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 28, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona never gets the pick of the litter, and fans on social media are tired of missing out on top candidates. The Cardinals failed to interview John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski because of Bidwill’s history of failing to pay for the team’s head coach. The franchise hasn’t hired a former head coach since 2004.
Hiring a coordinator is always a cheaper option, as they are unproven. However, another way to cut cost on coaching hire is it to be a monopoly. A reason why Arizona waits to be the last team in a head coaching search is to control the market. If they’re the only team with an NFL job opening out of 32, coordinators and former head coaches could take a pay cut for the opportunity.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks about Walter Nolen during a news conference inside the Arizona Cardinals training facility on April 24, 2025, in Tempe.
Ossenfort and his staff have already interviewed over a dozen candidates and have even held second interviews for some. A lot of their prospects are still in the playoffs, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and Denver Broncos Vance Joseph. The franchise could be waiting for their team to be eliminated to be official, but their recent scheduled interview with Jackson Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile makes it seem that there might not be a favorite.
Rams’ Mike LaFleur dark horse for Cardinals head coaching job in 2026
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
