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Raheem Morris

49ers Interview Gus Bradley, Raheem Morris, Joe Woods For DC Job

By | at January 29, 2026 3:54 pm

Robert Saleh‘s second exit as 49ers defensive coordinator will lead to the team’s fourth DC search in four years. The NFC West club has begun its interview process.

Gus Bradley, Raheem Morris and Joe Woods are the first interviewees, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Bradley spent last season on the 49ers’ staff, and Kyle Shanahan called him an obvious candidate. Woods was on the Raiders’ staff in 2025, while Morris — fired as Falcons HC after two seasons — has come up in connection with multiple DC posts.

Morris remains a candidate to become the next Cardinals HC. Arizona lost one of its frontrunners — Anthony Campanile — this week, when the Jaguars’ DC opted to stay with his current team. But Mike LaFleur and Klint Kubiak also booked second HC interviews with the Cards. This does not necessarily mean Morris is out of the running, but like Saleh last year, the veteran staffer is in the mix for jobs on multiple tiers of the coaching spectrum.

Saleh was believed to be the Jags’ second choice behind Liam Coen, but he resided as the 49ers’ DC-in-waiting in the event that fell through. The 49ers had Saleh positioned as one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators, but he bolted after one season back in town to become the Titans’ head coach. Bradley, Morris and Woods are all veteran defensive play-callers. Each has been either a two-time HC (in Morris’ case) or had at least three runs as a DC.

A recent rumor indicated Morris may move to TV if he did not land another HC job, but it seems the former Buccaneers and Falcons sideline boss is indeed surveying options if he does not land the Arizona job. The Falcons fired Morris after two 8-9 seasons, overhauling their football operation around Matt Ryan. Morris was a successful DC en route to that Atlanta job, serving as the Rams’ defensive play-caller for three seasons and collecting a Super Bowl LVI ring during that time. This creates considerable familiarity for Shanahan, though Bradley may still be the candidate to beat.

The Seahawks, Chargers, Raiders and Colts have employed Bradley as DC since 2012. Although Bradley’s Jaguars HC tenure featured a historically low win percentage (.226 — fourth-worst all time), teams have continued to pursue him as a defensive play-caller. Shanahan calling Bradley the “obvious” choice — as the team may not cast a wide net here — bodes well for the current 49ers assistant HC. But Morris and Woods bring comparable experience, representing interesting external challengers.

Earning a Super Bowl ring as a Broncos DBs coach, Woods succeeded Wade Phillips as Denver’s DC in 2017. Woods later moved to the DC role in Cleveland and New Orleans, serving as Browns DC for three seasons and Saints DC for two. Woods served under defense-minded HCs in Denver and New Orleans, however, making his Cleveland stop the only time he was a team’s top defensive voice. The Browns did not rank lower than 21st on defense under Woods, rising to 13th in 2021, but the team fired him after an inconsistent 2022 season. Woods spent last season as the Raiders’ DBs coach/pass-game coordinator.

All three of these coaches have worked Shanahan. The current 49ers HC was in place as Falcons OC from 2015-16. The rare modern coach to serve as an assistant on both sides of the ball, Morris was a Falcons defensive assistant in 2015 and wideouts coach during Atlanta’s NFC championship 2016 slate. Woods served as the 49ers’ pass-game coordinator under Saleh in 2019, using the team’s Super Bowl LIV season as a springboard back to the DC level.

7 comments Las Vegas Raiders San Francisco 49ers

Raheem Morris, Anthony Campanile, Mike LaFleur Leading Candidates For Cardinals’ HC Position?

By | at January 24, 2026 11:10 pm

The Cardinals are one of four teams which still have a head coaching vacancy. A hire could be coming soon, though, with a trio of top candidates in place.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Arizona considers Raheem Morris, Anthony Campanile and Mike LaFleur to be the “leading” options at this point. All three have interviewed at least once with the Cardinals as part of their ongoing search. Campanile met with the team for a second time on Thursday, something other candidates are also set to do shortly.

[RELATED: HC Search Tracker]

The current Jaguars defensive coordinator has been a popular head coaching candidate during this year’s cycle. Campanile interviewed with the Ravens and Dolphins, but both teams have since gone in a different direction to fill their HC positions. 2025 marked the 43-year-old’s first season as a coordinator at the NFL level, so taking on a head coaching gig would represent another major career move.

LaFleur has a more extensive history as an NFL coordinator, having served as an OC with the Jets from 2021-22 and with the Rams for the past three seasons. He has not handled play-calling duties in Los Angeles while working under Sean McVay, but the 38-year-old has helped his stock over the course of his Rams stint. A follow-up interview was not possible in LaFleur’s case this past week with the Rams advancing to the NFC title game. One could be arranged in the near future, however.

Morris is the only member of the trio who has worked as a head coach at the NFL or college levels. He was at the helm of the Buccaneers from 2009-11; Morris also served as the Falcons’ coach for a total of 45 games across two different stints. Over that span, his teams posted a winning record just once. Morris, 49, is regarded as one of the game’s top defensive minds but his head coaching winning percentage sits at .398. Interest in multiple D-coordinator positions could be coming in this case in the even Morris does not land the Cardinals gig, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Plenty remains to be seen over the coming days, but SNY’s Connor Hughes reports LaFleur is “believed to be the frontrunner” for the Arizona HC position at this time. For now, his attention will be focused on the Rams’ game against the Seahawks with a Super Bowl berth on the line. Nevertheless, a deal bringing with it a first head coaching opportunity allowing LaFleur to remain in the NFC West could be coming soon.

Here is an updated look at where Arizona’s search stands:

11 comments Arizona Cardinals Jacksonville Jaguars Los Angeles Rams

Coaching Rumors: Bucs, McDaniel, Morris, Bolts, Eagles, Vikings, Jags, Commanders

By | at January 20, 2026 3:00 pm

Mike McDaniel is still on the HC carousel, meeting with the Raiders on Monday and set for a second Browns interview Wednesday. He has landed on a few teams’ OC radars, including the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, Titans and Buccaneers. The Tampa gig could appeal given Todd Bowles‘ hot-seat status. The prospect of McDaniel joining the Bucs with an arrow toward succeeding Bowles is on the radar, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. The Bucs have promoted from within twice in the Jason Licht GM era, elevating OC Dirk Koetter and then giving Bowles the job after Bruce Arians‘ mid-offseason retirement in 2022. Bowles survived a collapse this season, firing OC Josh Grizzard. It would be interesting to see if he would hire an OC who could be in line to replace him down the line.

Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

  • If the Chargers lose Jesse Minter to one of the remaining HC jobs, Jim Harbaugh may well look to promote from within. Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale has a “very good chance” of being Minter’s DC successor, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes. Harbaugh confirmed internal staffers would be considered if Minter leaves. This would add up considering Clinkscale’s past. He worked as Michigan’s DBs coach in 2021 before being the Wolverines’ co-DC alongside Minter from 2022-23. While Minter received the DC opportunity in Los Angeles, Clinkscale came along with Harbaugh in 2024. The Chargers would need to comply with the Rooney Rule, of course, meaning one external minority would need to be interviewed before this rumored promotion becomes final.
  • Raheem Morris has interviewed for the Cardinals, Giants and Titans’ HC jobs. With New York and Tennessee moving in different directions, Morris is down to either Arizona or the coordinator level. The two-time HC not receiving a third opportunity at a top job could lead to a TV future, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Morris has come up as a possible Commanders DC option, and other teams would surely consider the former Rams coordinator. But he could be joining Mike Tomlin in the media soon.
  • Although Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman are the point men in the Eagles‘ offensive coordinator search, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes both Jeffery Lurie and his son have been sitting in on interviews. Julian Lurie has recently been named to a position within the organization, being listed as a business and football strategy staffer. Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, Philly has some big names on its radar.
  • The Vikings are moving on from offensive line coach Chris Kuper, with ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert indicating the four-year Minnesota staffer’s contract expired. Minnesota will be looking for a new O-line coach for the first time in the Kevin O’Connell era. This was Kuper’s first crack as a top O-line coach, having been an assistant OL coach with the Broncos and Dolphins previously. Kuper, 43, was an eight-year Broncos O-lineman from 2006-13.
  • Jaguars assistant O-line coach Keli’i Kekuewa is taking over as Stanford’s O-line coach, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets. Kekeuwa spent one season in Jacksonville; he will follow ex-Commanders staffer Tavita Pritchard to Palo Alto. Offensive assistant Trevor Mendleson should receive consideration to replace him, per the Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran.
  • Pritchard’s old job as Commanders QBs coach went to D.J. Williams; Washington has since named Danny Etling as its assistant QBs coach, Zenitz adds. A Patriots seventh-round pick in 2018, Etling bounced around the NFL before being cut by the Packers in August 2023. He spent the 2024 season with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. This will be the ex-LSU QB’s first coaching job. Etling, 31, was a college teammate of new Commanders OC David Blough at Purdue before transferring.
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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

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 1-30-26 (3:30pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)

Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)

  • Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

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

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

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)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

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): Interviewed
  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Dan Quinn Also Differed On Philosophy With Kliff Kingsbury; Latest On Commanders’ DC Search

By | at January 9, 2026 9:05 pm

In addition to Kliff Kingsbury‘s differences with GM Adam Peters, it appears Dan Quinn also began to sour on his offensive coordinator. Although a report indicated Quinn was reluctant to fire his top staffers this week, some new reporting paints a different picture.

Kingsbury and Quinn carried philosophical differences that led to the dismissal, ESPN.com’s John Keim notes. While some around the league are confused by this firing, Keim indicates Quinn knowing he is unlikely to receive a third chance as an NFL head coach prompted him to act earlier than he did in Atlanta.

Quinn sought better balance on offense, preferring the Commanders run more. The surprise coming out of the Kingsbury firing stems from Washington ranking fifth on offense during Jayden Daniels‘ Offensive Rookie of the Year season leading to a separation after the following campaign. Washington ranked ninth in rushing attempts but 25th in carries by running backs. Daniels’ run-game abilities got him in some trouble this season — a three-injury slate involving just seven games — and Marcus Mariota also has been a career-long dual threat. It appears Quinn will want more RB work in 2026.

Washington traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco just before the season and lost veteran Austin Ekeler to a torn Achilles tendon after only two games, but seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt showed flashes of being an effective replacement. The Commanders ranked fourth in rushing by season end, committing to the ground game more down the stretch. Perhaps newly promoted OC David Blough‘s offensive philosophy will align more with Quinn’s preference to run more, as he should be able to continue the momentum with which the team ended the season.

Concerning the other side of the ball, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported today that Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen was interviewed today for Washington’s defensive coordinator position. Cullen has served as a coordinator three times at the collegiate level — twice at Richmond and once at Indiana — and once in the NFL. Before arriving in Kansas City to coach future Hall of Famer Chris Jones and company, Cullen spent a year with the Jaguars in Urban Meyer‘s doomed season with the team.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that Quinn may look back at his old employers to kick the tires on former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris for the DC job in Washington. Morris and his own DC in Atlanta, Jeff Ulbrich, are both being considered as worthy candidates for open jobs across the NFL landscape.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

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Raheem Morris Firing Upset Some Falcons Players; Arthur Blank Endorses DC Jeff Ulbrich

By | at January 9, 2026 3:56 pm

Raheem Morris entered Week 18 a candidate to keep his job, having won three straight games — including a Week 17 win over the Rams. Despite closing the season with a fourth consecutive victory, the two-year HC was fired along with Falcons GM Terry Fontenot. An organizational reboot will send Morris elsewhere even after he outperformed Arthur Smith in terms of wins.

Smith received three seasons, going 7-10 in each. Morris went 8-9 in both his campaigns. His firing surprised players and upset some, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the coaching staff was optimistic the four-game win streak to close the season would save jobs. As the Falcons appear prepared to hire Matt Ryan for a central role in the front office, Arthur Blank leaned on two consulting firms to clean house.

The firm tasked with evaluating the Falcons’ football operation, Sportsology, did not recommend keeping the status quo, Blank said (via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter).

“I think we’ve learned, the sequencing of things will probably be a little bit differently in terms of points of emphasis,” Blank said. “Sportsology, which we retained several months ago to do a deep dive on the health if you will of the football operations. … They’ve got great experience in multiple sports in that regard, including the NFL. They pointed out some things to us.”

The Falcons had given Fontenot more power in 2024, as CEO Rich McKay stepped away from day-to-day operations. In that offseason, Fontenot made the historically unusual decision to sign a high-priced quarterback (Kirk Cousins) and then draft one in the top 10 (Michael Penix Jr.) six weeks later. Cousins said he would have adjusted his free agency approach had he known a top-10 QB draftee was coming, and the QB did not come close to living up to his four-year, $180MM contract. With Cousins likely set to be released soon, Penix’s injury trouble from his college days resurfacing hurt Fontenot’s stock in the grand scheme.

Morris tabbed Jeff Ulbrich to replace Jimmy Lake as DC in 2025, and the defense made strides — particularly in the pass-rushing department. Atlanta’s 57 sacks were second only to Denver’s 68 this season; that represented a massive improvement for a franchise that has struggled to identify edge rushers for many years. The team now has Jalon Walker and James Pearce to hand to its 2026 defensive play-caller, but Blank is onboard with Ulbrich staying.

Blank said (via Ledbetter) he will recommend to the next head coach that Ulbrich be retained, but the longtime owner will not force the HC’s hand on this matter. That explains the Falcons blocking the Cowboys’ attempt to interview Ulbrich for their DC job. Ulbrich remains tied to a Falcons contract, and it will be interesting to see if the next Atlanta HC views his work favorably. Ulbrich spent three-plus seasons as Jets DC before finishing out that term as the team’s interim coach. Ulbrich, 48, is in his second Falcons stint; he spent six seasons on staff under Dan Quinn previously.

The Falcons have set up an interview with Robert Saleh about the HC gig. If Ulbrich is to be retained, Saleh would seemingly have an uphill battle. Would Falcons ownership be able to sell running the early-2020s Jets setup back?

Saleh and Ulbrich coached two top-five defenses — yardage-wise — in New York. Ulbrich also had the Jets in the top five to close last season in that category. The Falcons, who have employed a different DC in each of the past four seasons (Dean Pees, Ryan Nielsen, Lake, Ulbrich), ranked 15th in yardage and 19th in points this season.

Blank plans to fill the president of football operations role — likely with Ryan — before moving to the GM and HC positions. The owner confirmed (via Ledbetter) a GM will work under the president of football ops role. That would stand to make the job less appealing, but select teams have a buffer between ownership and the front office. The Falcons have operated this way in the past, with McKay working in that capacity. It would seem Ryan is set to step into a similar role and work with a to-be-determined GM and coaching staff, barring an upset here.

1 comment Atlanta Falcons

Giants To Interview Antonio Pierce

By | at January 8, 2026 11:23 am

The Giants are interviewing their former linebacker and ex-Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce for their head coaching vacancy on Thursday and Friday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Pierce, 47, began his NFL playing career as a Commanders undrafted free agent. He emerged as a starter in his fourth season and parlayed that into a multi-year deal with the Giants. Pierce started 94 games over the next five years, including a Pro Bowl nod in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory in 2007. He retired from playing after the 2009 season.

Pierce then began his coaching career, first as the head coach at Long Beach Poly, one of the most prestigious high school football programs in the country. He was then hired by Arizona State to wear multiple hats as a coach and recruiter, but his activites in the latter role force his resignation before the 2022 season amid an NCAA investigation. Pierce was then hired by then-Raiders HC Josh McDaniels as the team’s new linebackers coach. Las Vegas tapped Pierce as their interim HC after McDaniels’ Halloween firing in 2023, and the team went 5-4 to close out the season. That helped Pierce earn the permanent job for the 2024 season, but a 4-13 record got him fired.

His connection with the Giants makes Pierce an intriguing (and perhaps sentimental) choice, similar to the Jets hiring ex-cornerback Aaron Glenn last offseason. But he only has one-and-a-half seasons as a head coach, and his full season in charge of the Raiders did not go well. He was deal with a bad roster, and you could argue Las Vegas was using him as a placeholder as they decided their long-term direction. Pierce will likely need to impress New York’s decision-makers in his interview(s) to show he can build the culture and scheme the team is looking for.

The Giants are also conducting a multi-day initial interview with former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. He will then meet more members of the team’s search committee on Friday.

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2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

By | at January 7, 2026 9:50 pm

The Browns, Cardinals, Falcons and Raiders followed the Giants and Titans in firing head coaches, making those calls between the Week 18 conclusion and Black Monday. The Ravens then moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 seasons; two days later, the Dolphins canned Mike McDaniel. Following a wild-card loss, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin are separating after 19 years. Now, after an overtime divisional-round loss in Denver, Sean McDermott is out in Buffalo.

The 10 HC openings are tied with 1978, 1997, 2006 and 2022 for the most in one year. Here are the candidates connected to all those searches, including the two remaining jobs. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 1-29-26 (7:00pm CT)

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

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Latest On Falcons’ Firings Of Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris

By | at January 7, 2026 9:36 pm

Although the Falcons ended the season on a four-game winning streak, it was not enough to save general manager Terry Fontenot or head coach Raheem Morris. Hours after wrapping up an 8-9 season, the Falcons fired the duo on Sunday night.

There was cautious optimism on the Falcons’ staff that the club’s late surge would prevent a housecleaning, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, that small sample of success came after the Falcons had already been eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14. It wasn’t enough to convince owner Arthur Blank to give Fontenot or Morris another shot in 2026.

Blank’s Falcons have now gone eight straight years without earning a postseason berth. Fontenot was atop the team’s front office for five of those seasons, all of which ended with either seven or eight wins.

Morris had a shorter leash than Fontenot, lasting just two seasons as Arthur Smith‘s successor. He received his walking papers after overseeing back-to-back 8-9 campaigns.

Fontenot’s handling of the quarterback position helped lead to his undoing in Atlanta. The move to sign Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180MM deal with $100MM guaranteed in March 2024 backfired. Fontenot took the gamble just five months after Cousins’ last season with the Vikings ended with a torn Achilles. In reworking Cousins’ contract on Tuesday, the Falcons all but guaranteed that they’ll release the 37-year-old sometime in the next two months.

Atlanta pulled the plug on Cousins as its starter late in his first season with the team. Fontenot stunningly used the eighth overall pick on former Indiana and Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. mere weeks after signing Cousins. With Cousins posting lackluster production and struggling to stay healthy in his first 14 starts in 2024, Morris replaced him with Penix.

While Penix retained the job this year, he underwhelmed before his season ended with a partially torn left ACL in Week 11. It added to a long line of health woes for the left-handed Penix, who tore his right ACL twice and suffered season-ending injuries to both shoulders in college. His most recent knee injury “dinged Fontenot’s draft profile a bit,” Fowler writes.

When healthy, Penix hasn’t necessarily looked the part of a franchise passer. The 25-year-old has put up a 59.6 completion percentage with 7.2 yards per attempt, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and an 85.8 rating in 14 games. However, Morris’ firing may give Penix a better chance to unlock his potential.

In speaking with “multiple scouts and coaches,” Fowler heard that the Falcons’ offense under Morris and coordinator Zac Robinson wasn’t the right fit for Penix. The scheme didn’t make good enough use of his arm strength, those individuals told Fowler.

With Fontenot and Morris gone, it’ll be up to a new regime to decide how to proceed with Penix. The Falcons haven’t found a franchise QB since Matt Ryan‘s 14-year run as their signal-caller ended in 2021. Five years later, Ryan is likely to return to Atlanta as its president of football operations. In taking on that position, Ryan would have plenty of say over Penix’s future.

20 comments Atlanta Falcons

Raheem Morris Sets Up HC Interviews With Giants, Cardinals

By | at January 7, 2026 11:02 am

Just days after the Falcons fired him, Raheem Morris is drawing plenty of interest from teams looking for a head coach. After scheduling a Titans interview, he’ll also meet with the Giants and Cardinals in the next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 49-year-old Morris has worked as a full-time NFL head coach twice. His first opportunity came with the Buccaneers from 2009-11. The Bucs put together a 10-win campaign in Morris’ second year, but that was sandwiched between seasons in which they went 3-13 and 4-12. First-round quarterback Josh Freeman didn’t pan out as hoped, which helped lead to Morris’ demise.

Morris primarily served as defensive assistant with Washington and Atlanta from 2012-20, though he was also the Falcons’ wide receivers coach for three years and their passing game coordinator for one. Morris also had a stint as the Falcons’ interim head coach in 2020. He went 4-7 replacing the fired Dan Quinn. The Falcons hired Arthur Smith during the ensuing offseason.

With Smith taking over, Morris temporarily departed Atlanta to serve as Sean McVay‘s defensive coordinator in Los Angeles. Morris held that role through 2023. He was a key figure on the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning staff in 2021.

Morris’ efforts with the Rams earned him another head coaching shot in Atlanta, where he succeeded the fired Smith, but the reunion didn’t go well. The Falcons posted a subpar 16-18 record under Morris from 2024-25. Although the Falcons made big investments in quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr, neither provided an obvious solution under center over the past two years. The franchise cleaned house in giving Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot their walking papers last Sunday night.

Any coach who has a suboptimal QB situation is likely to struggle. Finding an answer at the position has been a problem so far for Morris, who has gone a woeful 37-56. However, he’d inherit a potential franchise signal-caller in New York. The Giants are hopeful they found one when they used the 25th pick in the 2025 draft on Jaxson Dart, who had a promising rookie year despite concussion issues.

Morris would work with Dart in New York, but there’s less clarity in Arizona. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is under contract for another year. He may stick around as a bridge QB, though the Cardinals could find their next starter in the draft. They’re slated to pick third overall in the spring. Former No. 1 overall selection Kyler Murray is still on the roster, but the Cardinals are likely to trade or release the seven-year veteran in the next couple of months.

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