The Arizona Cardinals are one of six NFL teams still searching for their next head coach. The last two coaches they hired had zero previous NFL head coaching experience, and they went to the playoffs just once in those seven seasons.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is tired of not competing in the ultra-competitive NFC West. Three of the four teams reached the playoffs this past season, but Arizona won just three games. That needs to change.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are moving forward with their coaching search. Yet, it’s been hard to get a read on which candidate may be the favorite.
However, Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer recently tossed out a pair of names who could be emerging as frontrunners. He suggests Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady are the two candidates “to watch.”
“Joseph is beloved everywhere he goes. I think if the Bengals had to hire a coach this year, he’d be at the top of the list. He was probably runner-up to McDaniel in Miami in 2022, and the same goes for Arizona. He was an invaluable piece of Kingsbury’s Cardinals staff from 2019 to ’22. Kingsbury, in fact, would tell anyone who’d listen how good a head coach Joseph would be if he got a second chance.
SI’s Albert Breer on Cardinals HC candidates
As for Brady, some of this dates back to the one that got away for Cardinals ownership: Sean McVay. After the 2016 season, there were whispers that Bruce Arians could retire, and then-GM Steve Keim had McVay at the top of his list of replacements. Arians stayed another year, McVay went to L.A., and you know the rest. Since, Michael Bidwill has had his eye out for candidates similar to McVay. Brady could fit that bill.”
Both candidates appear to be capable of doing the job. Joseph has actually been an NFL head coach before, but he only lasted two seasons after leading the Broncos to an 11-21 record. Yet, he’s also had the NFL’s third-best defense in points allowed over the past two seasons.
As for Brady, he would fit the criteria of being a young, bright offensive mind. But he comes with no previous head coaching experience. Could he be the next Sean McVay? There’s only one way to find out.
Related: Arizona Cardinals Interviewing Bright Offensive Mind for HC Job
