Arizona Cardinals appear to prefer offensive-minded coach

The Arizona Cardinals have run the gamut in their quest for a head coach, but they now appear to desire an offensive candidate

It can’t be said that the Arizona Cardinals have not been thorough in their search for a new head coach. Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim have interviewed offensive-minded and defensive-minded candidates alike. There’s even a special teams coach that’s been considered for the job.

Now that the smoke is starting to clear a bit, it seems like the Cardinals are once again looking for a leader who’s forte is offense. It may be the success that their last two head men (Bruce Arians and Ken Whisenhunt) had that’s pushing them in that direction. Perhaps it’s the fact that the quarterback position is currently unstable, so a coach with some expertise in that area is vital.

The time has come for Arizona to request second interviews with whoever has intrigued them the most. Those who weren’t contacted for another face-to-face meeting, though not officially eliminated, may be falling behind those who have.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Munchak has been called by the Cards for another sit-down. The former head coach of the Tennessee Titans will once again be trying to convince the Cardinals’ brass that he’s worthy of the gig. Now that the Steelers have been knocked out of the playoffs, Arizona could have Munchak immediately if both parties agreed to a deal.

Another who they’ll meet with again is the Philadelphia Eagles’ John DeFilippo. Quarterback Carson Wentz’s position coach apparently impressed the Cards when the two sides got together the first time. Unlike Munchak however, DeFilippo’s current squad is still playing in the postseason, meaning he can’t be hired until Philly’s campaign ends.

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Munchak, the “Black and Gold’s” offensive line coach, brings an interesting aspect to his candidacy. There’s a rumor floating that if the 57-year old is hired, he’ll bring an old friend of the Cardinals’ along with him.

Todd Haley was Arizona’s offensive coordinator back in 2007-08. He’s held the same post in the “Steel City”, but his contract has now run out. A return to the desert by Haley to run the Cards’ offense makes Munchak a more-appealing choice.

DeFilippo has built a solid reputation as one of the NFL’s brilliant offensive minds. The 39-year old’s specialty is quarterbacks, and at the moment the Cardinals have zero passers under contract for 2018. Landing the Arizona job would enable DeFilippo to hand-pick his own signal-caller to go forward with.

With a darn good defense intact for next season, the main offseason focus should center around the Cards’ offense. Even to the point of an offensive-minded head coach coming aboard. Consequently, that’s the direction that Bidwill and Keim appear to be heading.

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