The Arizona Cardinals fired Kliff Kingsbury earlier today in a move many saw coming. Now it’s time to focus on the next potential hire.
Here at Raising Zona, we have talked about a plethora of head coaches who could be good fits to replace Kliff Kingsbury. Thus far, DeMeco Ryans, Sean Payton, and Eric Bieniemy have all had cases made for them to be the next coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Frank Reich was one coach mentioned in passing, and while Sean Payton is the clear-cut favorite among many in the Red Sea, the Cards would need to swing a trade for him. So let’s set Sean Payton aside in the event owner Michael Bidwill does not wish to give anything or anyone up.
The next best coach on my list is Frank Reich, who really had a raw deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Between 2018 and 2022, Reich never enjoyed stability at the quarterback position. In fact, here were the projected starters in each of his five seasons in Indianapolis:
- 2018 – Andrew Luck
- 2019 – Jacoby Brissett
- 2020 – Philip Rivers
- 2021 – Carson Wentz
- 2022 – Matt Ryan
Frank Reich could thrive with the Arizona Cardinals
While Kyler Murray may or may not be ready for the season opener, he will return at some point in 2023. And Murray’s return alone will give Reich more stability at the position than he had at any other time in Indianapolis.
Reich also has 17 seasons of NFL coaching experience in varying capacities. And unlike Kingsbury, he’s proven himself more than capable of running an NFL offense. So if the Cardinals see Murray return by Week 1 or shortly thereafter with the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown on the field, they could bounce back quicker than expected under Reich.
It’s also important to note that, despite the constant turnover at quarterback, Reich only suffered through a losing record once in four full seasons as the Colts head coach. That came in 2019, when he finished 7-9 with Jacoby Brissett playing quarterback.
Overall, Reich will be on an NFL sideline next season unless he chooses not to accept a head coaching job. The Cardinals would do well to hire a man who was fired for….Well, that’s a good question, actually. Who knows, when it comes to the impulsive Jim Irsay? Anyway, Indy’s loss could be Phoenix’s gain.
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