Arizona Cardinals could look to land a veteran defensive coordinator
By Jim Koch
Mike Zimmer and George Edwards are both viable candidates to become the next defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.
Like it or not, Jonathan Gannon has been named the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Instead of going with a sure thing like Sean Payton or Jim Harbaugh, owner Michael Bidwill has elected to roll the dice once again. Hopefully, Gannon will prove all of the naysayers wrong, and lead the Cards to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
One way to make the ultimate dream come true would be for Gannon to surround himself with a grade-A coaching staff. Who the 40-year-old chooses as his coordinators is of the utmost importance. There are two experienced individuals, in particular, who can help Gannon square things up for the Cardinals on the defensive side of the ball.
From 2014-17, Gannon was an assistant defensive backs coach on Mike Zimmer’s staff with the Minnesota Vikings. The coordinator in charge of the Vikes defense during that time was George Edwards, an assistant who had been coaching in the NFL since 1998. Could either Zimmer or Edwards be acquired to help Gannon’s Redbirds put the clamp on opposing offenses?
Arizona Cardinals could choose from two viable candidates to run the defense
In plain words, Zimmer would be an outstanding addition to the Arizona defense. Before becoming the head man for the Vikings, the 66-year-old was a defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys (2000-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007) and the Cincinnati Bengals (2008-13). Could Zimmer add the Cards gig to his professional resume in 2023?
The 56-year old-Edwards is also a viable candidate for the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator position. Before joining the Minnesota staff, the North Carolina native also served as the coordinator for both the Washington Commanders (2003) and the Buffalo Bills (2010-11). Edwards was also employed as a senior defensive assistant with the Cowboys (2020-22).
light. Related Story. Gannon could be good for Arizona Cardinals
For Gannon to have successful stint in Arizona, the Cleveland native will need to surround himself with some well-qualified coaches. Hiring either Zimmer or Edwards to help with his new venture would be a fantastic way to get things rolling in the desert.
(Information provided by Pro Football Reference)
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