Arizona Cardinals eyeing watered-down group of coaching candidates

Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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The remaining group of head-coaching candidates aren’t doing much to create excitement among the Arizona Cardinals fanbase. 

The hunt for the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals is about to enter it’s fourth week. That has been more than enough time for the team’s braintrust to fill the post, but the hunt continues on. What exactly are Cards owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort looking for in their quest to find a replacement for Kliff Kingsbury?

All of the best options for Arizona’s vacant position are no longer a possibility. Sean Payton spurned the franchise to join up with the Denver Broncos, while Jim Harbaugh seems to be content at the University of Michigan. Dan Quinn elected to remain with the Dallas Cowboys, while Frank Reich inked a deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Where the Cardinals proceed from here is anybody’s guess. The following are the top 4 remaining head-coaching candidates for an organization that obviously had no plan in place.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head Coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins in action against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head Coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins in action against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Brian Flores – Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores is probably the most-qualified of all of the candidates who are still in the running for the Redbirds gig. It also appears, despite reports to the contrary, that Bidwill never had any intention of handing the job to the 41-year-old Flores.

The Arizona Cardinals are one of several teams that are included in the anti-discrimination lawsuit that Flores filed against the league in February of 2022. Why in the world would Bidwill look to employ someone who is, in effect, attempting to sue him?

While Arizona has been conducting interviews this week, Flores has been seeking employment opportunities at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Look for the former Miami Dolphins head man to be named the defensive coordinator of either the Broncos or the Minnesota Vikings in the very near future.

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