As the NFL playoffs wind through their first weekend — and the first three games couldn’t have played out, in terms of excitement, any better for the league — the Cardinals have another couple of names that have emerged on their first-round wish list for their vacant head coaching job.
It was reported on Sunday the Cardinals have reached out to interview both Rams offensive coordinator Matt LeFleur and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
LeFleur is the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LeFleur; Shula is the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Given that the Rams were considered by many the best team in the NFL much of the season, looking at their assistants is not a surprise. It’s also not a surprise that the Cardinals on their current 10-man list includes four assistants within the NFC West and have accounted for all three of the other division teams.
Some of the interviews have taken place; not all candidates have been reported to schedule one or even if they will take one with Arizona. There are currently eight head coaching openings in the NFL.
The list, in alphabetical order, of reported Cardinals requests:
Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Halfley
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur
Ex-Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy
49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula
Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver