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Despite a head coaching change, Nick Rallis will remain as the Cardinals defensive coordinator.
The Arizona Cardinals may have changed head coaches in 2026, but they will not be changing defensive coordinators. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that the Cardinals will retain Nick Rallis for 2026.
This certainly comes as a surprise. The Cardinals finished 29th in points per game in 2025, leading to head coach Jonathan Gannon’s ouster after a 3-14 season. It’s unclear what Arizona’s motive is to retain its defensive coordinator after a poor finish statistically.
Rallis, 32, came over to the Cardinals with Gannon following the 2022 NFL season. The former linebackers coach received play-calling duties from the outset, despite the head coach being on that side of the ball. In his three seasons as the defensive coordinator, Arizona ranked 31st, 15th, and 29th in points per game allowed.
The Cardinals interviewed or submitted a request to interview at least four external candidates in this search.
Of those four candidates, only Pleasant and Scott are confirmed to have interviewed for the position. Vasso backed out of consideration, and there’s no record that Bullen interviewed for the position. Pleasant has a connection with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, with the two coaches spending the last three seasons with the Rams.
Rallis wasn’t linked to the position until a few hours before by Zenitz. Ultimately, the team chose continuity, as they transition from Gannon to LaFleur at head coach.
Why the Cardinals Chose to Keep Nick Rallis
Rallis comes with more play-calling experience than the candidates the Cardinals interviewed this offseason. He carries three seasons of play-calling duties under Gannon.
It also hints at two possibilities. The first is that the Cardinals are not viewed as a desirable destination for any head coach. That’s why they were the last team to fill their vacancy in the news cycle. The same issue could extend down to defensive coordinator candidates as well.
However, the other possibility is simply that the Cardinals approve of Rallis’ work and want to maintain continuity. While the statistics might not accurately show it, Arizona has gotten more talented on defense.
The Cardinals have invested significant capital, both in dollars and draft picks, to make the defense more competitive. Their biggest free-agent signing was Josh Sweat, who signed a four-year, $76 million deal to reunite with Rallis in Arizona. They’ve invested two first-round picks on the defensive line (Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen III) and three Day 2 picks at cornerback (Garrett Williams, Max Melton, and Will Johnson).
Rallis will now be the lead man on the defensive side of the ball. With Gannon out of the picture, the defense will now take on the identity the young coordinator wants it to be. He preaches “motor and violence” as their main defensive identity, so it will be interesting to see if the defense takes more of that on.
Other Coaching News
The Cardinals have filled out more of their position coach groupings. Zenitz reports that former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Schaub will become the next Quarterbacks Coach. Zenitz first linked Schaub to the position on February 6. He replaces Israel Woolfork, who moved on to the Baltimore Ravens‘ staff.
The Cardinals will also retain offensive line coach Justin Frye, per Zenitz. Frye was hired ahead of the 2025 season, after losing Klayton Adams to the Dallas Cowboys.
Michael McDermott Michael McDermott is a writer at Heavy Sports covering the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. Michael has 10 years experience writing about the D-backs and their farm system for AZ Snake Pit, Burn City Sports, and Diamondbacks On SI. More about Michael McDermott
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