Kliff Kingsbury’s experiment began in Arizona, and the Cardinals fired the head coach after his fourth season in the role.
Along with Kingsbury, general manager Steve Keim will not be returning, opting to step down after a mid-season leave of absence to focus on his health.
Decisions abound for the franchise, which is embarking on a hard reset after hitting postseason just a season earlier.
When it comes to the head coach there are some intriguing names on both sides of football to consider if you are owner Michael Bidwill.
The future is looking pretty bleak right now, especially with quarterback Kyler Murray’s questionable start to the season due to cruciate ligament and meniscus tears, 20-year free agents and a defense without JJ Watt to consider. Whoever accepts the job has his work ahead of him.
A look at who I think might fit into an organization moving into another era.
49ers DC DeMeco Ryans
You’re probably reading that name and thinking, “That’s not how you spell Sean Payton!”
We’ll get there.
But first, having rocketed up the ranks of the San Francisco 49ers since 2017, Ryans is making waves as the team’s defensive coordinator.
He knows how the NFC West works and can bring a player perspective to the position that others can’t.
And just look at the 49ers’ production on this side of the ball. Since taking the reins in 2021, San Francisco has ranked third or better in total offense allowed, highlighted by his 2022 mark of 300.6 yards per game (first in the NFL).
With Ryan’s things underway, progress could be accelerated by Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons and safety Jalen Thompson.
That trio, along with a healthy Budda Baker and potentially 2023 free agent Zach Allen returning to the group, are great starting points for Ryans to work with.
The biggest unknown with Ryans — and any other defensive-minded candidate — is who his pick would be as offensive coordinator.
Keep in mind that Murray is getting a whole lot of cash and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The right coordinator is of paramount importance when hiring.
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy
If it’s not Ryan’s, Bieniemy is another great option for the Cardinals vacancy.
But first, Bieniemy deserves a close look given the resume he’s put together as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past five seasons.
Since filling the coordinator duties at KC, the Chiefs are no worse than sixth overall in offense. Kansas City ranked first in three of the five years.
Patrick Mahomes is in a league of his own. There’s no denying that. But he and Murray both have the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.
Mahomes deserves a lot of credit for being where he is in his career. So does Bieniemy, who continues to bring out the best in Mahomes every year.
He also comes from a rushing background, having played running back in the NFL before eventually serving as a ground game coach in his coaching career that spanned four stints between college and the pros.
That kind of influence could bolster the production of starting RB James Conner and anyone who fills the space.
He is absolutely due for a head coaching job, having been interviewed for vacancies in recent years, with one of the most recent being for the Denver Broncos job, which instead went to the already ousted Nathaniel Hackett.
An attacking-minded head coach with a knack for getting the best out of his quarterback? Seems to be right down Arizona’s alley.
Former Saints head coach Sean Payton
All right, we made it to Payton.
The coach-turned-broadcaster appears to be a home run of sorts for the Cardinals.
He has a prior relationship with the team, being a former ball boy for the then St. Louis Cardinals, has won on the biggest stage and could be a trusted influence on Murray’s continued development, along with overhauling the unit as a whole.
But all that goodness comes with what appears to be a pretty hefty price tag.
Technically still under contract with the Saints for two more seasons, New Orleans would get some sort of compensation if another team and Payton come forward.
And let me be the first to say it: Sending a sixth-round pick — something the Cardinals did in 2019 in their trade with former head coach Bruce Arians and a seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received – will not make it.
Now, do I think the Saints will get a treasure chest full of pickaxes from the then Oakland Raiders and Buccaneers like Jon Gruden guaranteed in his shop? No way.
If I had to put my finger on it, Payton will get at least a low first-round pick.
But with the staffing issues surrounding this team and the obvious needs it has on both sides of the line of scrimmage, the appeal of adding Payton to the mix has been marred a bit.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh
Much like Payton, Jim Harbaugh would be one of those high-profile employees who could calm a turbulent Red Sea.
He definitely knows a thing or two about the division, having found success as the 49ers’ head coach, and could give the franchise a complete culture reset.
From 2011 to 2013, Harbaugh and his teams finished no less than second in the NFC West and twice won the division title during his tenure.
After an 8-8 record in 2014, the head coach decided to go back to college to coach in Michigan.
However, there’s the fact that he’s still employed by the Wolverines, coming out of the college football playoffs back-to-back, and has it said that he believes he will return to university next season, although he doesn’t know what the future holds.
That reportedly didn’t stop the Broncos kick the tires at the head coach planning to interview Harbaugh.
