Cardinals retaining Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator on Mike LaFleur’s staff

Now Rallis will run the entire defensive show under LaFleur, an offense-leaning head coach.

The Cardinals’ defense was decimated by injury in 2025 and struggled, allowing 357.7 yards (27th in the NFL) and 28.7 points (29th) per game.

Rapoport also reported that the Cardinals are hiring Michael Ghobrial as their special teams coordinator. Ghobrial, whose hiring has likewise been confirmed by the team, previously worked with LaFleur for two seasons with the New York Jets.

The moves, along with the Cards hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, round out LaFleur’s top lieutenants in entering his first year in the big chair.