Lots of names on their interview list
The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of submitting interview requests from coaches on existing NFL teams. Plus, they are active in getting guys in whose teams have either lost in this year’s playoffs or did not qualify for the postseason.
The big question seems to be whether Michael Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort will want a guy who can handle the offense effectively or a defensive-minded coach.
RELATED: CARDINALS REQUEST INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH RAMS COORDINATORS
Interviews are going on through Zoom and in person.
There is one name that keeps coming up as the favorite to become the Cardinals’ next head coach: Vance Joseph, the current defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos.
Joseph has built a stout unit with the Broncos, heading up the defense. Denver’s defense ranked #2 in the league this year. The breakdown is ranked #7 in passing defense and #2 in run defense. They were ranked #2 in fewest rushing TDs with 11 and #3 in scoring defense, allowing just 18.3 points per game average.
Everywhere he has been employed, he has improved the defensive side of the ball.
He was hired as Arizona’s DC back in January of 2019 under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Previously, he had been the head coach of the Broncos and was released after two seasons. He stayed with the Cardinals for four years.
Defensive rankings while Joseph was the DC for Arizona: 2019 – #28, 2020 – #12, 2021 – #11, 2022 – #31.
When Sean Payton came back to the NFL and took the head gig with the Broncos, he reached out to Joseph and hired him as his new DC beginning in 2023. That first season, the Broncos’ defense ranked #27, but in 2024, that became elevated to #3 and led the league in sacks. This year, Denver’s defense is ranked #2.
Their defense has added consistency as Joseph has received widespread acclaim for the momentous turnaround from when he first took over that side of the ball.
This year, the Broncos’ defense is ranked #2 overall, allowing just 278.2 yards per contest. That breaks down to #7 in pass coverage and #2 against the run. LB Alex Singleton finished the regular season ranked #13 in total tackles with 135.
His scheme is an aggressive system. Joseph’s defensive backs play something called a “match” principle, where his DBs cover one side of the route, which gives them leverage and limits the open areas for quarterbacks to throw to. Joseph will double down on blitz packages and often operates in five-man fronts.
Joseph also likes to use quite a few stunts with a focus on getting teams short gains on first downs. Denver blitzed at a tremendous rate and creates a lot of sack opportunities.
Joseph wants to control the run output, and with his personnel, he has accomplished this. The Cardinals should be able to continue this trend with their current defensive personnel. This forces opponents into a predictable passing attack, which creates mismatches for the offensive line since the defensive front is now knowing that their offense has ditched the run.
He also expects his front seven to create havoc and disrupt the offense. He wants aggressive rush schemes that will cause some confusion and uses different players in different positions, like two-high safeties.
And the proof is on gameday. When Joseph was first hired with the Broncos, the team went 8-9-0. In the second season, it was an improvement to 10-7-0 and secured a playoff berth. This year, Denver belted to a 14-3-0 record and not only ousted the Kansas City Chiefs as the division winner, but earned the #1 seed in the AFC.
It would be ironic if Arizona hired Joseph. With the Broncos, he went from being their head coach to their DC, and with the Cardinals, he would go from being their DC to head coach.
The Broncos fanbase has a man-crush on Joseph. They are petrified that he may leave for a head coaching job. Some fans are screaming for the Denver brass to pony up and pay him more so that he won’t be inclined to leave.
Change can be good, and then again, it can be really bad. But in the case of Joseph, he has had a lot to do with that transformation of the Broncos.
His defense has led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons. That is not by chance. The Cardinals have players on their roster who can continue Joseph’s tradition, plus own the #3 pick in the NFL draft, where two stud pass rushers will most likely be there.
Joseph is the odds-on favorite to become the next head coach of the Cardinals at between +225 and +500 odds.
Category: General Sports
