NFL coaches, execs say Cardinals' HC opening is worst in league

The Arizona Cardinals are one of six teams still searching for a new head coach and one of 10 who needed a new one. Four have made their hires, with the New York Giants hiring John Harbaugh, the Miami Dolphins hiring Jeff Hafley, the Tennessee Titans hiring Robert Saleh and the Atlanta Falcons hiring Kevin Stefanski.

The Cardinals have seen two of their finalists — Hafley and Saleh — take jobs before they could have a second interview in Arizona. Harbaugh didn't get past an initial phone call, and recently fired Sean McDermott doesn't appear to have interest in their situation.

What do people around the league think of the Cardinals' vacancy? In a poll of 10 coaches and high-ranking executives around the league by The Athletic, the Cardinals came in dead last.

Why is the Cardinals' job the worst?

Six of the 10 voters gave the Cardinals last-place votes. Three had them in ninth of the 10 jobs, while one "optimistic" voter had them eighth.

Owner Michael Bidwill has come under heavy criticism, and the Cardinals have gotten routinely crushed by players with the NFLPA report cards.

General manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon created momentum with a deliberate approach during their first two seasons together, but Gannon was fired after it all crashed down this season.

Quarterback Kyler Murray is owed $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026; the Cardinals could absorb that if they preferred to release him. Considering the lack of QB options on the market, though, the Cardinals could still conceivably ride it out for one more year with Murray.

Arizona hasn’t won a playoff game in 10 years. It has had a winning record just once in the past decade.

It is a rough situation to come into for any new coach. Paying top dollar for a coach isn't something the Cardinals really do, especially since they stil must pay Gannon and former head coach Kliff Kingsbury another two seasons, minus any salary they get paid if hired by another team.

If salary is the concern, it means that either first-time coaches or those seeking a second opportunity are the most likely to have interest in them.

The quarterback situation is rough. The organization seems set on moving on from Murray. And even a candidate who believes in Murray and wants him in 2026, the fact that Murray's foot injury apparently didn't get better the entire year raises concerns.

That leaves a new coach having to ride with Jacoby Brissett, whose 1-11 record last season and 20-45 career record make him impossible to trust to win games, go with a free agent class that isn't promising at quarterback. And while the Cardinals have the third overall pick in the draft, it appears to be a one-quarterback draft in terms of at the top of the draft.

Ownership wants a quick turnaround, but the roster is filled with needs.

You can see why the Cardinals are not a sought-after job.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL coaches, execs say Cardinals' HC opening is worst in league