Updated Feb. 13, 2026, 7:46 a.m. PT
Another job is off the board for Aubrey Pleasant.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that there is a “strong possibility” new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur keeps current defensive coordinator Nick Rallis on his staff after Pleasant interviewed for the role. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported that Rallis will stay.
Pleasant, who is currently the Los Angeles Rams assistant coach and passing game coordinator, interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers. Now, the only position open for Pleasant would be with the Browns’ job after the Chargers hired Western Michigan’s Chris O’Leary.
A return to L.A. for Pleasant would be a coup for Rams head coach Sean McVay. It would mean that the majority of his coaching staff will be back in 2026 after defensive coordinator Chris Shula and passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase didn’t get head coaching jobs are a bevy of offseason interviews. LaFleur would be the only top assistant who didn’t come back after he took the Cardinals’ top job.
