The Arizona Cardinals are in an all too familiar place following Monday’s firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Looking for their fifth head coach since 2017 and second under current general manager Monti Ossenfort, Arizona is back into full-on search mode.
And it starts this week, with Arizona’s reported interview with former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
He won’t be the only name linked to the Cardinals’ head-coaching vacancy between now and when a final decision is made, though.
A look at those being tied to Arizona’s opening so far:
Cardinals head-coaching tracker
Thomas Brown, New England Patriots passing game coordinator
The Cardinals have requested an interview with Brown, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Brown has been instrumental in the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, as the Patriots prepare for a playoff run beginning with the AFC Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Chargers.
He has interim head coaching experience, as Brown was inserted into the role with the Chicago Bears in 2024 after Matt Eberflus’ firing 12 games into the season. He had been serving as the Bears offensive coordinator after coming aboard as the passing game coordinator that season.
Besides his current service under Mike Vrabel, Brown was under Rams head coach Sean McVay from 2020-2022 as a tight ends and running backs coach.
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
The Cardinals have requested an interview with Kubiak, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Kubiak is currently preparing for the postseason after the Seahawks earned a first-round bye behind a 14-3 mark.
In his first season with the Seahawks, Seattle posted a top 10 offense (351.4 per game) and was third in points scored (28.4).
The New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons have also requested an interview with Kubiak.
Robert Saleh, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator
Arizona has requested an interview with Saleh, per Breer.
Saleh returned to the NFC West this past season as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator after serving as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers the year prior.
The 49ers closed the 2025 regular season with the 20th-best defense (340.2 yards per game) despite season-ending injuries to key players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and allowed the 13th-fewest points (21.8) in Saleh’s return.
The coordinator’s first stint with the 49ers was from 2017-2020 and included a Super Bowl appearance.
Saleh has head-coaching experience, too, having coached the New York Jets from 2021-24 before his midseason firing. He finished with a 20-36 mark as head coach.
Anthony Weaver, Miami Dolphins DC
Arizona has requested an interview with Weaver, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Weaver has served as the Dolphins DC the past two seasons after three years with the Baltimore Ravens. With Baltimore, he acted as a run game coordinator, defensive line coach and assistant head coach.
He saw instant success in Miami behind the fourth-best defense (314.3 yards per game) while allowing the 10th-fewest points (21.4) in 2024.
The impressive play didn’t pour over into this past season, though, with the Dolphins finishing 22nd in total yards (348.8 per game) and 24th in scoring (24.9).
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos DC
Arizona’s stone turning began with the reported interview of Joseph this week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Broncos defensive coordinator has helped form a stingy defense for the No. 1 seed in the AFC this postseason.
In doing so, Joseph has improved his stock for another run at a head-coaching gig.
And he has connections to the Cardinals, having not only served as defensive coordinator from 2019-22 under former head coach Kliff Kingsbury but also interviewing for Arizona’s head-coaching vacancy in 2023.
Gannon ended up securing the job, with Joseph heading to Denver for a second stint. He’s been far more successful this time around with the Broncos after lasting two years as Denver’s head coach from 2017-18 and posting an 11-21 record.
Payne Moses contributed to this report.
