Arizona Cardinals Officially ODD MAN OUT In 2026 NFL Head Coaching Cycle

On this episode of Locked On Cardinals, Alex Clancy is joined by Donnie Druin of Sports Illustrated to break down the Arizona Cardinals’ ongoing—and increasingly frustrating—head coaching search. With nearly every other NFL team filling their vacancies, the Cardinals find themselves as one of two franchises left without a head coach. Alex Clancy and Donnie Druin dive into why Arizona appears to be the “odd man out,” dissecting everything from organizational reputation to candidate preferences.

The conversation unpacks reported front-runner Klint Kubiak’s likelihood of taking the job versus returning to Seattle or joining the Raiders, the perception of Arizona as a less desirable landing spot, and what the Cardinals’ extended, reactionary process reveals about the franchise’s culture under Michael Bidwill. The hosts analyze possible scenarios—whether it’s a splashy hire like Kubiak, a fallback like Vance Joseph, or a surprise twist—and weigh the real obstacles: unstable ownership, money, and the looming Kyler Murray question.

Throughout the episode, Alex Clancy and Donnie Druin discuss and debate the broader implications for the Cardinals’ future, including how contract structure could impact the next coaching deal, why national media often gets the story wrong about Arizona, what the search says about Michael Bidwill’s leadership, and why the NFC West and AFC West present unique challenges. From pondering whether big money could lure a coach, to considering if Vance Joseph is the last man standing, the show offers unfiltered insight, plenty of humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism about where the Cardinals are headed next.

If you want an honest, in-depth look at the Cardinals’ head-coaching predicament—with all of its organizational quirks, fan frustrations, and possible outcomes—this episode has you covered. Let's discuss.

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