Arizona Cardinals hire Monti Ossenfort as general manager

Steve Keim stepped down after 10 years operating as the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager near the end of the season. Then, the Cards also moved on from head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Check one item off the list, as the Cardinals have now hired Monti Ossenfort as their GM, according to Ian Rapoport. Ossenfort hails from the Tennessee Titans, where he operated as the team’s director of player personnel from 2020 to 2022.

With the Titans also undergoing some major changes to their front office after letting longtime GM Jon Robinson go, the highly respected Ossenfort gets a promotion, only now it comes with a different franchise.

Now that the Cardinals have secured their GM for the future, Ossenfort will now be tasked with making his first head coaching hire. Based on earlier reports, franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to be involved in the decision-making process as well, or at least have some say during the interview process.

Monti Ossenfort turns attention to Arizona Cardinals coaching search

Now that Ossenfort is on the case, his first major decision will be based on hiring an ideal head coach candidate who he meshes with. There are several qualified options that Ossenfort will have to continue vetting, keeping his quarterback’s interests in mind.

Here are the known names linked to the Arizona coaching vacancy so far.

Vance Joseph – Cardinals defensive coordinator
Sean Payton – Former New Orleans Saints head coach
Brian Flores – Pittsburgh Steelers senior def. assistant/former Dolphins head coach
DeMeco Ryans – San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator

Payton is a fascinating option. He’s already proven as a head coach and brings a Super Bowl ring to the table, but he also will cost the Cardinals a pretty penny both in salary and trade compensation.

Yet, Ryans is leading the NFL’s best defense deep into the playoffs and is certainly a top newcomer candidate expected to receive a job somewhere this offseason. Joining an NFC West division rival may be a bit awkward though.

Ultimately, now that Ossenfort is in town, expect this interview pool to expand before the Cardinals settle on a final decision.