Cristian Garcia to move from coaching LBs to coaching safeties in 2026

Feb. 19, 2026, 10:02 p.m. MT

The Arizona Cardinals have not announced their full coaching staff, but a few from the previous staff are staying. One such coach is Cristian Garcia, who was hired a year ago as inside linebackers coach.

While he is being retained under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and head coach Mike LaFleur, he will have a different role.

According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Garcia is moving from linebackers to coach safeties in 2026.

It won’t be new for Garcia, who was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.

The Cardinals will have a new inside linebackers coach, according to Zenitz, hiring Rod Wilson to work with the inside linebackers. He was the outside linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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