Skip to main content

Mike Kafka Reportedly Nailed Interview With Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are still in search of their next head coach. Could Mike Kafka be the guy?

The Arizona Cardinals have - for the most part - swung and missed on some of their top guys this coaching cycle. 

Frank Reich? Gone to Carolina. Dan Quinn is returning to Dallas after bypassing Arizona and Denver. Sean Payton and the Cardinals both humored themselves with a interview before he went to the Broncos. DeMeco Ryans even canceled his interview with the team before taking the job in Houston. 

We're eight days removed from the Super Bowl, and the Cardinals have yet to land their next head coach. Owner Michael Bidwill said Arizona would cast a wide net in search for their next guy, and they've done just that. 

Three different candidates entered the race this week after interviewing with the team: Mike Kafka, Lou Anarumo and Brian Callahan. 

Each coach in the mix offers something unique that can help the Cardinals turn the tide of their organization, yet Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro says Kafka nailed his interview:

"I think it might be Mike Kafka. I've heard that he had a very good interview here and they seem to like him. I heard he had a good interview - younger guy, only 35 years old. It seems like it's very similar to the Kliff [Kingsbury] hire. Offensive guy, younger guy. But if you're looking for somebody who was a quarterback that can work with Kyler [Murray], that type of thing. Now I don't know anything, so don't hold me to this. I'm just saying right now if we're playing that game, I would put him near the top of the list."

Kafka most recently worked with QB Daniel Jones and the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator, helping turn the team from a 4-13 record to a postseason win before eventually losing to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Prior to that, he spent five years in Kansas City under Andy Reid as a quarterbacks coach helping develop Patrick Mahomes. 

Kafka's track record - offensively speaking - is one of the best available on the market, if not No. 1. He met with the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, Ejiro Evero and Vance Joseph are also considered favorites to land the job. Out of that group, Glenn is the only one reportedly getting a second interview (formally or informally according to ESPN's Josina Anderson). 

Follow All Cardinals on Facebook

Subscribe to All Cardinals on YouTube

Arizona Cardinals Top Stories

Re-Drafting Cardinals' 2022 Draft Class

Report: Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort Met with DeAndre Hopkins

Podcast: Discussing Top Free Agents, Why Kyler Murray Hate Needs to Stop

James Bradberry Listed as Ideal Cardinals Free Agent Target

Two More Cardinals Added to PFF Top 100 List