The Super Bowl matchup is now set, with the Seattle Seahawks representing the NFC and the New England Patriots representing the AFC. The last time these two teams met in a Super Bowl, it was held at State Farm Stadium.
For the Arizona Cardinals, this development brings more clarity to their ongoing search for a new head coach. With the Rams and Broncos eliminated from contention, coaches such as Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula are now available to be hired immediately. Reports have connected both LaFleur and Joseph more closely to the Cardinals’ vacancy than Shula.
If the Cardinals wish to consider any coaches from either the Seahawks or Patriots, they can do so this week provided that previous conversations have already taken place. However, hiring one of those candidates would require waiting until after the Super Bowl.
The team has already conducted second interviews with Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Additionally, news emerged Sunday morning that former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will be hired by Matt LaFleur as Green Bay Packers’ new defensive coordinator. This move means Gannon’s defense will face Drew Petzing’s Detroit offense twice each season since Petzing is now serving as Lions’ offensive coordinator.
The Arizona Cardinals are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States, tracing their origins back to 1898 in Chicago. The team represents the Phoenix area and plays its home games in Glendale, Arizona. They participate in the NFC West division of the National Football League (NFL) and have won NFL championships in 1925 and 1947 as well as an NFC championship in 2008 (official website).