The Cardinals gave coach Kliff Kingsbury a four-year, $22 million contract extension in the 2022 NFL offseason. But that didn't mean his job was safe for long, given he was fired immediately following the 2022 regular season.
Arizona finished with a frustrating and disappointing 4-13 record, closing with a seven-game losing streak that culminated with a 38-13 blowout loss in San Francisco. With the offense and defense underachieving before they both became and injury-riddled and Kyler Murray went down with a knee injury, the Cardinals crashed hard from an 11-6 playoff season.
Kingsbury ends his Cardinals tenure at 28-37-1 in four seasons. Arizona will likely look first for a big name for big impact before considering a rookie coach as a replacement. Here's breaking down the eight best outside candidates:
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Ranking Cardinals' best coaching options for 2023
1. Sean Payton, former Saints head coach (age: 58)
Payton will be in play for all the openings after his year stepping away from New Orleans. Getting him out of his contract there won't be too big of an obstacle in terms of compensation, given how much annual salary he will cost.
Payton would turn around any sputtering offense, especially one with a shorter quarterback featuring diverse receiving weapons and upside in the power rushing attack. He also has the rare available Super Bowl pedigree a la Mike McCarthy and Doug Pederson before him. He also would clean up the defense with Vic Fangio attached to him.
The Cardinals' ownership has reportedly worked on finding someone to take over the team for weeks as it seemed apparent it has hit a ceiling with Kingsbury, timed with looking to part ways with GM Steve Keim
2. Shane Steichen, Eagles offensive coordinator (age: 37)
Steichen has done wonders with running and passing from Jalen Hurts, who followed Murray in the offense at Oklahoma. He might be a little young, but it seems smart to tap into the promising staff of Nick Sirianni, especially when envisioning a great fit with Murray.
3. DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator (age: 38)
Ryans has done a terrific job with San Francisco's loaded defense with his scheming and energy. As much as making another move tied to maximizing Murray makes sense, the Cardinals just need to target the best fit as an overall leader. Stealing Ryans from a division rival is a bonus.
4. Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator (age: 52)
Quinn will get a lot more attention in this cycle after flipping the Cowboys defense into an effective pass-rushing and big-play unit. He would represent a good experience and side-of-ball contrast to Kingsbury given he did lead the Falcons to Super Bowl 51 with a top offense.
5. Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator (age: 36)
Johnson will get more buzz after Detroit's winning season fueled by dynamic and diverse play-calling for Jared Goff and their running backs. The Cardinals could have visions of Johnson having the same effect on Murray to take the influence of Kingsbury into more streamlined results.
6. Jonathan Gannon, Eagles defensive coordinator (age: 40)
Gannon also will get consideration as the Eagles become an extension of the Colts coordinator combination that got Sirianni and Matt Eberflus (Bears) hired.
7. Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator (age: 53)
Bieniemy should back in the hiring cycle for the latest round of openings given his work with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. If it doesn't happen for him in early 2023, it might not at all.
