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By Jett Hatch
Contributing Sports Writer
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Veteran Super Bowl–Winning Coach Emerges as Serious Option in Arizona’s Head Coaching Search
As the 2026 NFL coaching carousel heats up, one of the more intriguing storylines emerging is the possibility of Mike McCarthy landing a head coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals, a franchise coming off a dismal 3–14 campaign.
The Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after a season that saw the team struggle on both sides of the ball and finish with one of the worst records in the NFC. Arizona’s finish capped a multi-year stretch of underperformance, and the organization is now aggressively exploring experienced coaching options to right the ship.
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McCarthy’s Name Surfacing in Arizona
McCarthy, who has over 18 years of NFL head coaching experience, including a Super Bowl XLV victory with the Green Bay Packers, and most recently was head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, is now regularly appearing among the potential candidates being discussed for the Cardinals job.
According to league tracking and insider projections, the Cardinals have compiled a wide list of interview requests and scheduled interviews, including not only young coordinators and up-and-comers, but also seasoned NFL play-callers and former head coaches. McCarthy’s name has been linked with the job in both betting markets and coaching projections circulating among NFL insiders.
While Arizona has formally scheduled interviews with names such as 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, McCarthy’s resume of sustained success and experience is often cited as the type of leadership the franchise could target to stabilize its erratic performance.
Why McCarthy Makes Sense for Arizona
Experience: McCarthy has a long track record of leading NFL franchises and has coached numerous playoff teams, giving him credibility with veterans and young players alike.
Leadership: After Arizona’s offensive and defensive struggles last season, there’s a belief within some league circles that a seasoned coach who has operated under high expectations could bring discipline and structure.
Immediate Credibility: With a quarterback room and roster still perceived to have untapped potential, an experienced coach like McCarthy might be viewed by Cardinals ownership and front office decision-makers as someone who can accelerate development and return the club to competitiveness.
The Bigger Picture on Arizona’s Coaching Search
The Cardinals’ search reflects broader trends around the league: teams are increasingly balancing interviews between innovative coordinators and proven veterans. Arizona’s list reportedly includes Thomas Brown, Jeff Hafley, Klint Kubiak, Matt Nagy, Arthur Smith and Anthony Weaver, among others in addition to McCarthy-linked speculation.
If the Cardinals elect to pursue McCarthy seriously, it would signal a desire to lean on coaching experience and a more conventional leadership profile, a contrast with some other organizations that have opted for younger or coordinator-first hires.
Bottom Line: With Arizona seeking a coaching turnaround and McCarthy’s name gaining traction in coaching predictions, the former Cowboys and Packers head coach is increasingly seen as a logical, and headline-worthy, candidate for one of the NFC’s more disappointing franchises in 2025.
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