Contemporary off a dismal 3-14 marketing campaign in 2025 that resulted within the group firing head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Arizona Cardinals had a golden alternative to hit the reset button on protection.
As an alternative, new head coach Mike LaFleur — after conducting a full search and interviewing exterior candidates — opted to deliver again defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for a fourth season, in response to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
That is a recipe for one more shedding season.
Why sticking with Nick Rallis is a foul thought for Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals protection was one of many league’s worst in 2025, rating twenty ninth in factors allowed per recreation (28.7 PPG), close to the underside in complete yards allowed (over 6,000), and struggling in move protection (permitting a 65.6% completion fee). They allowed explosive performs at an alarming fee and didn’t generate constant stress or turnovers. The unit’s collapse contributed closely to blowout losses, particularly late within the season.
The protection repeatedly faltered in situational soccer, within the pink zone and in fourth-quarter stops, turning shut video games into blowout losses. The NFC West is at the moment one of many hardest divisions, and the protection confirmed no indicators of improvement or enchancment throughout his tenure.
Sticking with Rallis underneath a brand new regime is especially head-scratching. LaFleur, coming from the Los Angeles Rams and with expertise underneath Kyle Shanahan, might have put in a contemporary voice to align together with his imaginative and prescient or speed up progress across the younger core.
Reports
indicate he interviewed the Rams’ Aubrey Nice and the Seattle Seahawks’ Karl Scott. Have been the candidates not , or is LaFleur assured in Rallis’ skill?
This implies both restricted choices, inner religion in Rallis regardless of the observe report or price/finances issues — none of which encourage confidence for a franchise determined to flee the NFC West basement.
