Cardinals want what the Bengals are having at head coach

January 30, 2023 ndowd

The Arizona Cardinals have requested interviews with both Cincinnati Bengals coordinators.

Clearly, the Arizona Cardinals like the staff Zac Taylor has assembled with the Cincinnati Bengals.

After being eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night, Bengals coordinators Lou Anarumo and Brian Callahan are free to interview with any team that still has a head-coaching vacancy. While this is a bit late in the process, Arizona has taken its time in finding the right candidate to replace Kliff Kingsbury. Will it end up being Anarumo or Callahan?

Anarumo is the more seasoned coordinator, but he also coaches on the defensive side of the ball.

This just in….

The Cardinals have requested to interview Bengals DC Lou Anarumo for their vacant HC job, per league source.@gmfb @nflnetwork

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 30, 2023

As for Callahan, he is an up-and-coming offensive mind with a famous head-coaching father.

The #Cardinals also requested an interview with #Bengals OC Brian Callahan for their head coaching job, per source. Callahan also is a candidate for the #Colts job.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2023

Callahan is also a candidate for the Indianapolis Colts vacancy, who are also taking their time…

Arizona Cardinals request interviews with both Cincinnati Bengals coordinators

Admittedly, losing either Anarumo or Callahan to a job of their own would be a devastating blow to Taylor’s Bengals staff. While much of their success of late has been entirely tied to Joe Burrow’s greatness, Cincinnati fields one of the more complete teams in football. It is such a shame that they continue to trot out there a wet paper bag of an offensive line to let Burrow get rag dolled…

While Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to miss part of next season, it is not like Anarumo or Callahan are too proud to beg. Eventually, both will be leading their own teams on NFL Sundays, but neither are going to be anybody’s first choice for whatever reason. Since Anarumo favors defense, then he would have no issues with taking Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter at No. 3.

Though Callahan may favor the offensive side of the ball, we have to wonder if the Cardinals are the right entry point for him as a first-time head coach. It can go one of two ways for him in Arizona. Is he the next Bruce Arians in The Valley, or is he the next Kliff Kingsbury? Either way, Callahan will be an NFL head coach in due time, but it may not happen until the next hiring cycle.

If Arizona wants to get this hire right, then it serves the Cardinals brass to look at the coordinators.

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