Brian Flores is a hot name on the Arizona Cardinals short list. So what would make him a good hire if he comes to the desert?
Before we talk about what would make Brian Flores a good fit for the Arizona Cardinals, let’s first talk about why I ranked him fifth on a list of six possible head coaching hires. First and foremost, it’s because he’s a defensive coach, and that may not bode so well for quarterback Kyler Murray, who will return to the lineup at some point in 2023.
While both the offense and defense struggled, the latter is farther ahead given the bright, young nucleus with solid names like Marco Wilson, Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Zaven Collins, and some have even added Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas to that list. Zach Allen and Byron Murphy Jr. can also be there if they re-sign.
This is ironically why Flores would also be a good candidate for the Cardinals: He could help maximize this young defense’s strengths. Given the young pieces in place and the improvement many of them showed this past season, despite the bleak outing, a coach like Flores would work wonders for the defense.
Arizona Cardinals could develop a strong defensive identity under Flores
Under Flores, there could be less pressure on Murray (or anyone playing in his stead) and the offense thanks to his ability to coach a sound defense, evidenced by his units allowing no more than 21.9 points per game in 2020 and 2021. Further, the Cardinals would most likely use their third overall pick on an elite pass rusher like Will Anderson Jr.,
Someone like Anderson would add an immediate impact to the pass rush left behind by the likes of Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt. He would give the Cardinals yet another young player with limitless potential.
With Flores in the Cardinals war room, it would also be possible to see them look to snag a cornerback early, especially if Murphy leaves. These two moves alone would give the Cardinals a solid depth chart on defense. And with a coach like Flores, you can expect a much stronger unit in 2023.
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