Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that the Cardinals’ job would likely come with higher pay and play-calling responsibilities, but Bradley’s relationship with Saleh helped steer him to Nashville. With Bradley off the board, Arizona is examining other options.
Breer identified Houston Texans secondary coach Dino Vasso as a strong name to watch. Vasso is seen as a rising star, having previously worked under Jim Schwartz with the Philadelphia Eagles and having drawn DC interest earlier this offseason, including a Titans interview before Bradley was hired.
The connection to LaFleur comes via Texans head coach Demeco Ryans, who coached for the 49ers when LaFleur worked there (2017–2020). Ryans kept Vasso on as the Texans’ cornerbacks coach when he took over in 2023, and Houston’s secondary thrived, with several players earning Pro Bowl consideration as the unit ranked among the league’s best in yards allowed and points allowed per game.
Still, Vasso’s limited experience as a full-time coordinator is a legitimate concern for pairing him with a first-time head coach. That dynamic echoes discussions from other recent hires, such as Jonathan Gannon’s staff, and some parallels are drawn to Jacksonville’s approach where Anthony Campanile, with a run-heavy background, found success as DC under Doug Pederson’s system.
On offense, LaFleur is slated to call plays, but an established offensive coordinator figure could be essential. The two names most commonly discussed are Rams staffers Nate Scheelhaase (passing game coordinator) and Dave Ragone (QB coach, former Falcons OC). Each brings a different path to the role, and either could land in Arizona or return to the Rams, as the Rams’ OC position has often served as a stepping stone to head coaching opportunities.
