Cardinals Should Tap into NFC West to Hire New Head Coach and Staff

By Walter Mitchell

Candidates with NFC West, possible roles with Cardinals:

Mike Shanahan related:

* Mike McDaniel - HC

* Robert Saleh - HC

* Klay Kubiak - HC

* Gus Bradley - DC

* Bobby Slowik - OC

Sean McVay related:

* Mike LaFluer - HC

* Chris Shula - HC

* Nate Scheelhause - HC, OC

* Hakeem Morris - HC, DC

* Thomas Brown --- HC, OC

Mike Macdonald related:

* Klint Kubiak - HC

* Rick Dennison - OC

* Leslie Frazier - DC

* Kirk Olivadotti - DC

These are arguably the three best coaching staffs in the NFC and possibly in the NFL.

Tapping into their coaching staff members not only could give the Cardinals a more competitive chance to compete in the division, it also could weaken one of the current staffs. 

Imagine if the Cardinals could come away with a HC and a coordinator from this list. I believe that would be the ideal scenario.

You agree? 

Comments

  1. Since 61January 19, 2026 at 6:34 AM

    Agree and now Buffalo needs a HC

    ReplyDelete
  2. TMAttyJanuary 19, 2026 at 6:55 AM

    Unless we go with Vance Joseph (please, no) I think Bidwill will poach from another NFC West team. These are model franchises, and I believe we went 3-15 against these teams in the Gannon era (including 0 wins in years 1 and 3). We cannot have playoff aspirations giving up the division so easily.

    Klint Kubiak may not check the box of having head coaching experience, but unfortunately we are not a franchise that gets to hire a candidate that checks all the boxes, particularly since we are up to TEN (!!!) teams hiring this cycle. My concern with Kubiak is timing: if Seattle wins the NFC Championship and we hold out, who is going to be left if he's not interested in coming here? We don't want to be the last team in a game of musical chairs... again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellJanuary 19, 2026 at 7:48 AM

      I agree about the risk of waiting again until after the Super Bowl. I believe that Klint Kubiak will have stronger HC options than the Cardinals. I think there's a decent chance that he gets the Ravens' job.

      Delete
  3. JethroBodineJanuary 19, 2026 at 7:51 AM

    Agreed. If you can't beat them, poach their coaching staff.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnfortunateFanJanuary 19, 2026 at 7:58 AM

    The only option I'd put above this is Sean McDermott, but I'm assuming he goes to Baltimore or Pittsburgh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellJanuary 19, 2026 at 9:14 AM

      My guess: Kubiak to Ravens, Flores to Steelers

      Delete
    2. Since 61January 19, 2026 at 9:38 AM

      Walt- you think Bills gonna go with offensive minded HC?

      Delete
  5. RedrunJanuary 19, 2026 at 9:23 AM

    I would take reclamation project - McDermott

    ReplyDelete
  6. Flash87January 19, 2026 at 9:49 AM

    Sean McDermott 98-50 as a head coach. He has better winning percentage than Harbaugh or Tomlin. We better take a hard swing this time around.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kyle LedbetterJanuary 19, 2026 at 11:11 AM

    I keep hearing about this Nate Scheelhause guy in Los Angeles this week, and given how many openings there are in the NFL right now (8 more with Stefanski and Harbaugh both gone) it’s seeming like somebody in their early 30s is going to get at least one of these jobs.

    Probably not the Cardinals job, but definitely one of them

    ReplyDelete
  8. RedrunJanuary 19, 2026 at 12:09 PM

    Looks like Detroit is going to pick up Petzing. A good fit for Petzing run-game, he'll like Gibbs & Montgomery; I think Goff is type of QB he likes too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NSCardJanuary 19, 2026 at 1:05 PM

      I wonder if they make a move for JB ;)

      Delete
    2. Walter MitchellJanuary 19, 2026 at 1:06 PM

      I agree RR. The rest of league knows how competitive and challenging DP's offense is. And oh the irony for those who kept insisting Gannon was going to be the Cardinals' version of Dan Campbell, to see that Drew Petzing gets to coach with the real Dan Campbell who just hired him to be his OC.

      Delete
    3. NSCardJanuary 19, 2026 at 1:47 PM

      Next stop, Gannon to the Ravens

      Delete
  9. NSCardJanuary 19, 2026 at 1:03 PM

    Matt Burke is an interesting candidate for this team.

    ReplyDelete

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