The Arizona Cardinals made some coaching staff changes on Friday
The Arizona Cardinals shuffled the deck a bit on Friday. They saw some changes take place within the coaching staff including one surprising departure.
Stump Mitchell, the former Cardinals running back and then running backs coach since 2013, has left the team. No information was provided as to what lead up to the decision for him to leave.
Taking his place is Freddie Kitchens. The former University of Alabama quarterback from 1995 to 1997 has been the quarterbacks coach for the last four seasons. He was the tight ends coach under Ken Whisenhunt from 2007-2012.
So, naturally that leaves a replacement to be needed at quarterbacks coach. Enter former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich. Leftwich, who played in the NFL from 2003-2012, had been working with the Cardinals quarterbacks since last May as an intern.
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Leftwich could be an invaluable member of the coaching staff as the Cardinals prepare to likely draft a quarterback this April. They announced they would be searching for their future quarterback this offseason.
Of course that doesn’t guarantee the future quarterback will be a draft pick. However it does seem likely. Someone with Leftwich’s experience at the NFL level would certainly help in the development of whoever the Cardinals bring in.
Mitchell helped re-vitalize what was once a relatively dead position for the Cardinals. He had been part of Bruce Arians staff since Arians came to Arizona in 2013.
For whatever the reason for Mitchell’s departure, we wish him well. He has served the Cardinals organization well as a player in the 1980’s and the coaching staff in recent years.
No other comment was provided by the Cardinals about the moves other than they occurred. It certainly makes one wonder what they are preparing to do this offseason. It should be exciting.