The Arizona Cardinals seemingly found their first head coaching finalist, only to lose out at the last moment.
According to multiple reports, the Cardinals were set to conduct an in-person interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The interview would have been the Cardinals’ second with Saleh, making him the first candidate that the Cardinals would have had back for a follow-up session.
But instead, Saleh accepted the Tennessee Titans job in the late hours of Monday, Jan. 19, according to multiple reports.
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Saleh conducted an interview with the Titans in Nashville earlier in the day. Had he not come to an agreement with Tennessee, he would have flown to Arizona for his interview with the Cardinals.
Saleh, though, evidently connected with the Titans’ brass, as the Cardinals were punished for their status as his second choice. While Tennessee could offer quarterback Cam Ward — the promising No. 1 overall pick from a year ago — the Cardinals fell down Saleh’s pecking order.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks to the press from the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe after the decision to fire head coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5, 2026.
For the Cardinals’ part, they reportedly requested 13 first-round interviews, conducting at least 10. Unlike most other organizations, the Cardinals are not publicly announcing their interviews as they unfold.
On a whirlwind day of news across the NFL, the Cardinals lost out on two of those candidates: Saleh and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was hired by the Dolphins.
There have now been four hirings across the league. Last week, the Giants hired former Ravens coach John Harbaugh, while the Falcons hired former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.
Now, six openings remain: Bills, Ravens, Steelers, Raiders, Cardinals and Browns.
Buffalo became the latest after firing head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, Jan. 19, two days after the Bills lost a divsional round playoff game to the Broncos.
For coaches currently employed by NFL teams, Jan. 19 was the first day on which in-person interviews were allowed — unless their current team remains in the playoffs. Those coaches cannot interview in person until Jan. 26, after the conclusion of championship weekend.
That’s relevant for the Cardinals, who conducted virtual interviews with four coordinators of teams still alive. Among that group, the Cardinals have reportedly had heavy interest in Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
With Saleh off the board, those coaches now appear more likely to land in Arizona.
