Arizona Cardinals Rude Awakening Is Upon Us, San Francisco 49ers Robert Saleh “Stops By”

On this episode of Locked On Cardinals, Alex Clancy dives deep into the current state of the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching search and the harsh realities facing the organization. Opening with a candid assessment, Alex Clancy describes the sense of “rude awakening” that Cardinals fans and insiders are experiencing as the team is perceived to have the least desirable head coaching vacancy in the NFL.

Throughout the episode, Alex Clancy breaks down the ongoing challenges: a lengthy list of coaching candidates, the implications of interviewing Robert Saleh (and what a late-night interview really means), and the humbling crossroads owner Michael Bidwill now faces. The show explores why attracting experienced coordinators and coaching talent is so difficult given the current roster issues, recent injuries, and the organization’s broader reputation.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Alex Clancy offers a ray of hope, urging listeners to see the “forest through the trees.” He argues that despite the pervasive negativity, there is untapped potential on the Cardinals’ roster—players like Garrett Williams, Walter Nolan, Josh Sweat, Budda Baker, Mac Wilson, and more—who could thrive under a coach with genuine talent development skills. The importance of finding a coaching hire who can elevate talent and build something meaningful is stressed as the key to Phoenix’s future.

Listeners can also expect Alex Clancy’s signature honesty about the weekly cycle of fan frustration and cautious optimism, as well as his thoughts on how recent NFL playoff developments and other teams’ head coach openings could impact the Cardinals’ search. Sponsor messages from FanDuel, Rocket Money, and Robinhood Prediction Markets provide practical tips for betting and financial management, intertwined with football commentary.

The Best Daily Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Host Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) take an unbiased approach covering the biggest Cards stories.

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13 comments

  2. Its crazy has fast people forget how things went down last time Bidwill fired a coach.
    Monti was Bidwill 3rd choice? As GM and Monti's genius idea is hey lets just hire a position coach of one of the teams in the SuperBowl and forfeit a pick.
    Everyone can just start debating on which position coach from which team is going to be our next coach..With Vance Joseph as the consolation prize
    Bidwill " if we hire a coach who already knows how badly our facility disrepair is and is ok with it, We should hire him"

  3. I’d give Saleh mil plus staff. We need a drastic turn around and the NFC West is all uphill battles that cannot be trusted to just anyone, least of all a budget coaching room.

  5. You've got solid receiving weapons. You have a LT. Get the line and QB positions together. Find some RBs that have some high athleticism. A solid WR3 and the offense can be really good. The Defense has quality pieces as well but they need some dawg coaches. Nolen has stud written over him. But they need a coach that can scheme rush lanes and another ILB that can be a factor. Like a Dre Greenlaw to Fred Warner. Or Al Shaiir. Doesnt have to be the goat but needs to be able to actually be a dictator in the middle. The guy from the Bengals is not that.

  6. The Cardinals will get the least desirable coaching picks to choose from, Michael Bidwill won't pay the price for quality coaching, there's no confidence in Kyler Murray, the incoming QB class has decided to stay in school another year, it's all a disaster.

  9. Alex, would it be possible if you did a show with Locked on Jets to give us the Jets' perspective on Robert Saleh as a HC? I think it would be interesting to hear!

  10. Well dude you talked for 25 minutes and said nothing we dont already know, as long as a Bidwell owns the team this is what we get mediocrity at best that short period with Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer was a aberration and Wisenhunt and Warner he chased Arians out and could not find a QB after Warner retired for Wisenhunt

  12. One thing for sure; Mike Bidwell heard enough voices in State Farm Stadium, everything with Gannon ran it's course; It WAS TIME to fire Gannon! After that; It's gonna be less and less difficult for Bidwell to make his decision. The same goes for every other team trying to find "That Guy". Not a one is going to pick the Cardinals until the chairs are almost gone in this Musical Chair game. My bet….. Salha goes somewhere else and in the Next week OR TWO, the Cardinals will not be chosen by their "That Guy". THE MEDIA IN PHOENIX NEEDS TO TAKE A WIFF OF SMELLING SALTS and start clearing your heads.

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