First Head Coach Finalist Reportedly Emerges In Cardinals Search

ARIZONA — The first known finalist for nan Arizona Cardinals' caput coaching hunt has been reported.

The Cardinals would for illustration to bring successful Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley for a 2nd interview, according to NFL Media's "The Insiders" while Hafley is considered to beryllium a finalist astatine each squad he's interviewed with, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

From Schultz connected X:

"The #Titans are opening to finalize their HC candidates — pinch Jeff Hafley, Matt Nagy and Kevin Stefanski each scheduled for in-person interviews adjacent week. My knowing is location could beryllium much arsenic well.

"Hafley, I’m told, is simply a apt finalist everyplace he’s interviewed — including nan Dolphins, Raiders, Steelers, Cardinals, Browns — should he take to proceed pinch each six."

From Tom Pelissero, who besides says Hafley is nan "leading candidate" successful Miami:

"The Dolphins are not unsocial here. The Titans, Falcons, Raiders and Cardinals person besides asked Hafley to travel successful for a 2nd interview. He's besides interviewing for nan Steelers caput coaching occupation today."

Hafley was among 13 reported candidates for Arizona's caput coaching hunt pinch names specified arsenic Thomas Brown, Matt Burke, Vance Joseph, Klint Kubiak, Mike LaFleur, Jesse Minter, Raheem Morris, Matt Nagy, Robert Saleh, Chris Shula, Arthur Smith and Anthony Weaver besides being considered.

Hafley is nan first reported campaigner Arizona wants to bring successful for a 2nd interview. That doesn't mean he's nan only guy, but it sounds arsenic if nan Cardinals will person to move accelerated if they want him to put pen to paper.

READ: Separating Fact From Fiction successful Cardinals Coaching Search

More connected Jeff Hafley

Hafley has been nan Packers' protect coordinator for nan past 2 seasons, starring Green Bay to 1 of nan league's much notable units moreover earlier nan acquisition of prima defender Micah Parsons.

Hafley's been highly commended for nan occupation he's done connected his broadside of nan shot while besides having anterior caput coach experience, though that came successful nan assemblage ranks pinch Boston College.

He fell successful nan 3rd tier of our head coaching rankings earlier this week:

"The Cardinals swung and missed connected Gannon, but that doesn't mean they should strictly debar personification of his anterior mold this clip around.

"All of Burke, Shula, Hafley and Minter person done commendable jobs pinch their respective protect units, though nary person established anterior caput coaching experience.

"Burke's led what galore judge to beryllium nan league's champion defense while Shula and Hafley are among nan hottest names to watch successful either this rhythm aliases next. Minter was requested to beryllium interviewed by each 9 original openings, too."

The Cardinals are judge to stitchery much names arsenic nan process goes, and Miami could beryllium a apical action considering nan Dolphins precocious hired erstwhile Packers exec Jon-Eric Sullivan to go their wide manager.

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