Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 31, 2023. Syndication: Arizona Republic
GLENDALE – The names connected to the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator job had fans excited. Different position coaches from the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and more were interviewing with the franchise for the position that looked to turn around a bad defensive unit in 2025. However, Arizona decided the best decision was to bring back last year’s defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for the same role.
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Confusion would be putting it nicely for how fans reacted on social media. The numbers had Rallis’ group allowing the most points in franchise history and surrendering 37+ points in six of the last nine games of the season. Despite those glaring issues, Rallis return actually makes a lot of sense.
Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis watches his team against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on Nov 3, 2024, in Glendale. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Why bringing back Rallis isn’t the worse decision:
Since Rallis’ arrival with former head coach Jonathan Gannon in 2023, the Cardinals have made it clear that they are fully in with the coordinator. At 32 years old, he is a defensive prodigy, and even after Gannon’s firing, reports immediately came out that Arizona would be looking to keep him. Many didn’t expect it to be the same role, but the first half of last season makes it clear.
Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, Nick Rallis walks the sidelines as they play against the Las Vegas Raiders at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Aug. 23, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In 2024, the Cardinals were 15th in points allowed and made many upgrades in the following offseason. The resources allotted to the defense looked to be worth it, allowing 21.4 in the first eight weeks of the season. The tides shifted when linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. got injury in Week 9 vs. the Dallas Cowboys, an injury that put him on injury reserve for the rest of the season.
When Wilson went down, Arizona allowed 35.2 points per game in the final nine games of the season. Rookie linebacker Cody Simon took over Wilson’s role as the green dot, and while making the best of the circumstances, the defense’s production took a massive hit.
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson (2) celebrates after a play against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
It wasn’t just one injury that derailed the unit, as the franchise had the most games missed by starters last season by any team by a wide margin. New head coach Mike LaFleur understands that and knows Rallis, playing against six times in the past three years.
Two seasons prior, a LaFleur ran offense scored 19 points in two games vs. the Cardinals. Last year, that number jumped to 82. While Rallis adjustments from the injuries looked to ineffective, Arizona was already snowballing down the mountain with nothing stopping its tank.
Keeping Rallis is a risk and will be met with understandable ridicule. LaFleur and his team doesn’t seem concerned with the noise and likely went with the best candidate they saw, which happened the be the third-year Cardinals DC.
Mike LaFleur to retain Nick Rallis as Arizona Cardinals set 2026 staff
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
