NFL Rumors: Brian Flores, Mike Kafka, Lou Anarumo Finalists for Cardinals HC Job

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo are reportedly the three finalists for the Arizona Cardinals’ head-coaching vacancy.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported other candidates were informed Sunday night they were no longer in the running.

The Cardinals are seeking a replacement for Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired after a disappointing 4-13 season. Kingsbury went 28-37-1 in four seasons with the Cardinals and was under contract through 2027.

Flores is the only finalist who has head-coaching experience. The 41-year-old went 24-25 in three seasons with the Miami Dolphins before being fired in 2021. While Flores’ teams significantly outperformed their expectations, he reportedly clashed at times with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and struggled to find harmony with general manager Chris Grier.

Flores is currently in the midst of a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. He’s also interviewed for several defensive coordinator vacancies.

Anarumo has been the Bengals’ defensive coordinator since 2019, helping the unit consistently improve as Cincinnati emerged as a perennial AFC contender. The Bengals tied for fifth this season in scoring defense and seventh in rushing yards allowed.

Kafka is the least experienced of the three candidates. He just finished his first year as an offensive coordinator in 2022, working alongside Giants head coach Brian Daboll to vastly improve a unit that struggled for years before their arrival.

Arizona will head into the 2023 season facing major questions about its roster with Kyler Murray recovering from an ACL tear and DeAndre Hopkins looking like a potential trade piece.