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Cardinals Announce Full Staff For New HC Mike LaFleur

By | at February 22, 2026 8:27 pm

On Friday, the Cardinals announced the finalization of their full coaching staff under new head coach Mike LaFleur. While several new names joined the staff, a good number of coaches were retained from Jonathan Gannon‘s prior staff, perhaps due to the late timing of LaFleur’s hiring. We’ve covered many of the coaching updates in previous posts already, but we’ll touch on the announcement’s new information here.

We actually saw a number of hires break in the days leading up to the team’s announcement. For instance, Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that former Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski would finally be making the jump to the NFL. A longtime collegiate staffer, Kwiatkowski began his coaching career at his alma mater, Boise State. Following a playing career as a defensive lineman, Kwiatkoski held multiple position coaching roles with the Broncos from 1988-96. He then spent time at Snow CC and Eastern Washington before getting his first DC offer at Montana State. He returned to Boise State as defensive line coach and, eventually, defensive coordinator before working DC jobs at Washington and Texas. His NFL debut will see him coaching defensive line for the Cardinals.

On Thursday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that Arizona had finalized the hiring of former Chiefs outside linebackers coach Rod Wilson. Wilson originally debuted in the NFL ranks of coaching as an assistant special teams coach with the Chiefs. After returning to the collegiate level to coach linebackers at South Carolina and Coastal Carolina for two years, Wilson made his way back to Kansas City as a defensive assistant, getting promoted to his most recent position two years ago. In Arizona, Wilson will be asked to shift back inside as the team’s inside linebackers coach. With that news, Zenitz also relayed that last year’s linebackers coach, Cristian Garcia, had been retained but moved to a different position group. Garcia will now serve the team as defensive backs coach.

Zenitz also reported two more minor staff updates before the team’s announcement, breaking that Brett Ekkens and Brent Jackson had been hired. Jackson, formerly a defensive quality control coach with the Colts, will hold the same position in Arizona. When Zenitz broke Ekkens’ hire, the role on staff for the former Tiffin University head coach had not been determined, but the team’s announcement discloses that he will serve opposite Jackson as an offensive quality control coach.

On the offensive side of the ball, the announcement concluded the building of the staff by announcing that Connor Senger has been retained in his role as pass game specialist. Senger had gained some interest from around the league this offseason for potential offensive coordinator openings but, ultimately, didn’t land any offers. With the announcement, it seems Senger will be running it back with the Cardinals, with whom he’ll try to continue to show his coordinator potential. The announcement also revealed the retention of offensive line coach Justin Frye. In addition to assistant OL coach Chris Cook, whose retention was already reported, Senger and Frye represent the only returning offensivee staffers from 2025.

On defense, the only new information was the retention of Matt Feeney as outside linebackers coach and the promotion of Alec Osborne from defensive quality control coach to assistant defensive line coach. They join Garcia (in his new position) as the only three returning staffers from 2025 on the defensive side of the ball alongside defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. The announcement also disclosed that assistant special teams coach Sam Sewell and director of football strategy Kenny Bell had been retained in the same roles. Lastly, formerly hired as a coaching assistant in 2022, Jay Razzano has been named assistant to the head coach.

With all coaching roles filled, the focus will turn to each coach evaluating the players in their position rooms as determinations will now move to the roster and what players the Cardinals will be moving forward with and building around. The fans in Arizona will hope to get more out of LaFleur and Co. than they’ve gotten out of their last three head coaches over the past eight seasons.

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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at February 15, 2026 10:15 pm

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 2-23-26 (10:40pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Drew Petzing)

  • Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Hired

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Joe Brady)

  • Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant (Broncos): Hire expected

Chicago Bears (Out: Declan Doyle)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Tommy Rees)

  • Travis Switzer, run-game coordinator (Ravens): Hired

Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)

  • Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed
  • Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Promoted

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

  • Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Greg Olson)

  • Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Hired
  • Frisman Jackson, wide receivers coach (Seahawks): To interview

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Mike LaFleur)

  • Dave Ragone, quarterbacks coach (Rams): Title enhanced
  • Nate Scheelhaase, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Promoted

Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

New York Jets (Out: Tanner Engstrand)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Arthur Smith)

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Klint Kubiak)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)

  • Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired

Cleveland Browns (Out: Jim Schwartz)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Patrick Graham)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Sean Duggan, former linebackers coach (Packers): Hired
  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

New England Patriots (Out: Terrell Williams)

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Teryl Austin)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Robert Saleh)

  • Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Interviewed
  • Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Hired
  • Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Seahawks To Interview Cardinals’ Connor Senger For Offensive Coordinator

By | at February 13, 2026 12:21 pm

Klint Kubiak was only the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator for one season, but he made a huge impact during a Super Bowl-winning campaign. Kubiak’s success led to a promotion to the Raiders’ head coaching job, leaving the Seahawks to search for a new offensive leader.

Seattle may poach from an NFC West rival’s staff for Kubiak’s successor, having identified Cardinals pass-game specialist Connor Senger as a candidate. The Seahawks will interview Senger, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Senger was previously an OC possibility for the Bears, but they ultimately promoted Press Taylor to replace the departed Declan Doyle. He also caught the attention of the Bills and Packers when they were looking for quarterbacks coaches. Buffalo (Bo Hardegree) and Green Bay (Luke Getsy) have since filled those vacancies with more experienced names.

Still just 30 years old, Senger is a former college QB (Wisconsin from 2013-14, Wisconsin-Oshkosh from 2015-16) and coach whose NFL career began in Arizona in 2022. Senger started on a coaching fellowship, but he has gradually climbed up the ladder. He was an offensive quality control coach in 2023 and an assistant QBs coach in ’24, a year in which Kyler Murray enjoyed a bounce-back season.

A foot injury limited Murray to five games in 2025, but Senger still helped guide a passing game that was statistically above average. The Cardinals finished seventh in the league in passing despite backup signal-caller Jacoby Brissett starting 12 games. Their QBs tossed 29 touchdowns against 11 picks and ranked 13th in traditional passer rating (92.5). Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. fell well short of expectations in Year 2, but fellow wideout Michael Wilson had a breakout third season. Meanwhile, with 126 receptions, 1,239 yards and 11 TDs, Trey McBride was easily the league’s most productive tight end.

During Kubiak’s lone year at the controls, the Seahawks ranked third in scoring and eighth in total offense. Kubiak’s successor will inherit a title-winning group that boasts a quality QB in Sam Darnold and an all-world receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, among other pieces. Running back Kenneth Walker III is nearing free agency on the heels of winning Super Bowl MVP, but the Seahawks are unlikely to let him get away this offseason.

Retaining Walker would be an obvious plus for Seattle’s next OC, whether it’s Senger or someone else. Here’s where the Seahawks’ search stands in the early going:

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Bears Request OC Interview With Connor Senger; Troy Walters Declines Interview

By | at February 3, 2026 1:52 pm

Now in the market for an offensive coordinator to replace the departed Declan Doyle, the Bears have requested an interview with Cardinals passing game coordinator Connor Senger, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. The Bears also requested an interview with Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters, but he declined, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

It’s unclear why Walters turned down the Bears, but it may have something to do with the fact that their offensive coordinator doesn’t call plays. Head coach Ben Johnson handles those duties. The allure of calling plays led the 29-year-old Doyle to exit Chicago for Baltimore last week.

Senger, 30, is coming off his fourth season in Arizona and first in his current role, but his future is uncertain in the wake of a head coaching change. New head coach Mike LaFleur, who’s taking over for Jonathan Gannon, may elect to go in another direction.

Even if LaFleur wants to keep Senger, it’s possible he’ll take a different job elsewhere. Before the Bears showed interest in Senger, the Bills and Packers requested to interview him for their open quarterbacks coach positions.

A former Wisconsin and Wisconsin-Oshkosh QB, Senger began in the NFL as a coaching fellow in 2022 and has steadily risen through the ranks. He was an offensive quality control coach in 2023 and an assistant QBs coach in 2024.

Under Senger’s guidance this past season, the Cardinals finished seventh in the league in passing despite backup signal-caller Jacoby Brissett starting for the injured Kyler Murray in 12 of 17 games. Their QBs combined for 29 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and ranked a respectable 13th in traditional passer rating (92.5).

While Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t progress as hoped in his second season, third-year wideout Michael Wilson broke through during a 78-catch, 1,006-yard, seven-touchdown campaign. Meanwhile, with 126 grabs, 1,239 yards and 11 scores, Trey McBride was the most prolific tight end in the game. Only superstar Rams receiver Puka Nacua (129) amassed more catches than McBride.

In heading to Chicago for a promotion, Senger would join a reigning division champion that boasted a top-10 offense in 2025. Unlike the Cardinals, the Bears are set at quarterback with Caleb Williams. They also have an enviable group of weapons consisting of running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and D.J. Moore, and tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.

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Bills, Packers Request QBs Coach Interview with Cardinals’ Connor Senger

By | at January 31, 2026 12:15 pm

The Bills and Packers both requested to interview Cardinals passing game coordinator Connor Senger for their quarterbacks coach vacancies, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Senger, 30, has worked closely with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray over the past four seasons. Senger arrived in Arizona in 2022 as a coaching fellow and moved up in each of the last three offseasons. He became a quality control coach in 2022, the assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024, and the pass game coordinator in 2025.

The Cardinals’ air attack has struggled for the most of Senger’s time in Arizona, though Murray has only played in 41 games in that span.

Before joining the Cardinals, Senger spent time with a number of college teams. In 2017, began his coaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a Division III program for whom he started at quarterback for the previous two seasons. He worked for two more D-III schools – Carroll and Wisconsin-Whitewater – before a two-year stint at North Dakota State, which preceded his entrance to the NFL.

The jobs in both Buffalo and Green Bay offer the appeal of working with clear face-of-the-franchise quarterbacks in Josh Allen and Jordan Love. The latter has not reached the same heights as the former, but both are under contract through at least 2028. Success as one of the two’s coach could lead to an offensive coordinator by then, if not sooner. To that point, Senger called plays at the East-West Shrine Bowl this week. While that is certainly not the same to a full-time coordinator gig, it shows that Senger is viewed by some as a potential future OC.

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NFC West Coaching Updates: Cardinals, Scheelhaase, 49ers

By | at February 18, 2025 10:01 pm

The Cardinals are not one of the teams to hire a new head coach this offseason, necessitating the hiring of a new surrounding staff, but they still made a few updates this offseason. For instance, we’ve already reported on the hirings of offensive line coach Justin Frye, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere, and linebackers coach Cristian Garcia.

In addition to those, Matt Feeney was hired as outside linebackers coach after three years in Las Vegas, the most recent of which he spent as assistant defensive backs coach after two years as a defensive quality control coach. Alec Osborne joins Feeney as a new hire and will serve as a defensive quality control coach.

Arizona also announced two internal promotions. After working as assistant quarterbacks coach this year and an offensive quality control coach before that, Connor Senger has been promoted to pass game specialist. Lastly, Blaine Gautier, who served two seasons as the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellow, will now work as an offensive quality control coach in 2025.

Here are a couple other coaching updates out of the NFC West:

  • Rams pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase interviewed for both the Buccaneers’ and Jaguars’ offensive coordinator jobs this hiring cycle and was even considered a favorite for the job in Jacksonville before it was announced that he would stay in Los Angeles. Perhaps a reward for staying but certainly in recognition of the interest he sparked around the league, the Rams have promoted Scheelhaase to passing game coordinator, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He’ll continue to learn under head coach Sean McVay with increased responsibilities in 2025.
  • Lastly, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the 49ers have a new cornerbacks coach in Ray Brown. Brown most recently spent the 2024 season as the secondary coach at Boston College after a two-year stint coaching cornerbacks at Washington State.
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Cardinals Finalize Gannon’s New Staff

By | at March 1, 2023 6:54 pm

The Cardinals announced today that they have finalized their coaching staff under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. We’ve tracked many new hires, firings, and retainings as they’ve occurred, but today’s finalization fills in any holes that remained between last year’s staff and what we’ve reported on so far.

On the offensive side of the ball, we’ve got the confirmations and official titles for two new hires. Drew Terrell, who was expected to leave Washington and rumored to be in the running for Arizona’s pass-game coordinator role after missing out on the offensive coordinator job, has officially been hired as the Cardinals’ passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Additionally, Israel Woolfork, who was rumored to become the new quarterbacks coach after being informed by the Browns that he was granted leave from his diversity coaching fellow position, has officially been made the quarterbacks coach in Arizona.

Two other new hires were announced today on the offensive staff. Former Charleston Southern head coach Autry Denson has joined the staff as a running backs coach. Denson has extensive experience coaching the position at the college level for Notre Dame, Miami (OH), and Bethune-Cookman, but this will be his first job in the NFL. Also joining the staff, Chris Cook will be under offensive line coach Klayton Adams as the team’s assistant offensive line coach. Additionally, two members of the offensive staff from former head coach Kliff Kingsbury‘s tenure have been retained with slightly new titles. Formerly the co-pass game coordinator, Spencer Whipple will be retained in the role of pass game specialist. Similarly, former Bill Bidwill Fellowship and quarterbacks assistant Connor Senger has been retained in the position of offensive quality control coach.

On the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Toney and William Peagler, who were announced to be joining the Cardinals’ staff after working together at the University of Florida, had their titles officially announced today. Toney, who was originally expected to be the safeties coach, will be the Cardinals’ defensive backs coach. Peagler, after coaching tight ends in Gainesville, will serve as assistant defensive line coach. Additionally, a holdover from last year, former defensive assistant Ronald Booker has been retained to serve as defensive quality control.

On special teams, after the departure of assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons to Carolina, Sam Sewell will be filling the same role in 2023 for the Cardinals. Additionally, away from either side of the ball, the Cardinals hired two more new staffers and retained two others. Brandon Schwab has been hired as assistant to the head coach, and Shea Thompson has been hired as director of football performance. Coaching assistant Jay Razzano was retained from last year’s staff, and Kenny Bell, who served last season in Arizona as chief of staff and offensive assistant, will be retained as the team’s director of football strategy.

With the coaching staff finalized, Gannon and the Cardinals can turn their attention to the NFL Combine, the draft, and the rest of the offseason.

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