When the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon the day after Week 18, it sent the team’s staff into a frenzy, with plenty of notable guys departing for jobs elsewhere.
For starters, Gannon ended up taking the job as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Hafley, who left the team for the Miami Dolphins head coaching gig.
Gannon’s offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, departed as well. He went on to take the offensive coordinator job with the Detroit Lions, who look to bounce back in 2025 after missing the playoffs despite going 15–2 the year before.
Today, the Cardinals saw special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers depart for the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers will pick up the same role in Buffalo that he had in Arizona.
One coordinator remains in Arizona, whom the new staff will have the opportunity to keep, and that is defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
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Rallis, at only 32 years of age, led an incredibly young defensive unit. Composed of young rookies like Walter Nolen III, Cody Simon, Will Johnson, and Denzel Burke, Rallis did everything he could to develop them into their full potential.
The Cardinals also had veterans Calais Campbell, Budda Baker, and Josh Sweat, who provided experience in the unit.
Unfortunately, injuries ravaged the unit all year long, which led to a massive decline in production.
Whether it's Mike LaFleur, Klint Kubiak, or someone out of left field to become the team’s next head coach. It would be a mistake to let Rallis walk, as he is young and has his best years ahead of him.
It would not surprise us at all if he keeps his job on the team, considering what he was able to do last season.