The Cardinals’ defensive coordinator search has dragged on much longer than its OC pursuit. Several days have passed since Nathaniel Hackett‘s OC hire, but Arizona looks to be fine retaining Jonathan Gannon‘s top lieutenant.
Nick Rallis is now expected to be retained as Cardinals DC, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. Earlier tonight, Zenitz indicated this was a real possibility. Rallis followed Gannon from Philadelphia. Despite Gannon’s exit, it appears the Cardinals will go with the young coordinator for a fourth season.
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Hackett’s OC deal circulated Feb. 5, days after Mike LaFleur‘s HC hire. DC candidates have come up since, including Karl Scott‘s recent meeting, but it is now worth wondering if the outside candidates underwhelmed. LaFleur keeping Rallis is a surprise considering the Cardinals’ struggles on that side of the ball despite more investments poured into the unit. The Cardinals dropped from 15th to 29th in scoring defense from 2024 to ’25. The 3-14 season drove Gannon’s exit. Now, Rallis is positioned as the top defensive voice in Arizona’s building.
More to come.