Cardinals Scheduled In-Person Interview With Robert Saleh

The Titans have identified Robert Saleh as a finalist for their head coaching vacancy, and they’re apparently not the only organization to move the 49ers DC to the second-round of their interview process. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Saleh is scheduled for an in-person interview with the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Saleh emerged as a target for Arizona’s head coaching gig earlier this month. He had his first interview with the Cardinals last Thursday. Since then, the 49ers have been eliminated from the postseason, including an ugly performance this past weekend when the Seahawks offense found the end zone on four occasions. Of course, that singular performance wouldn’t be enough to dissuade teams from considering the former Jets head coach.

While his New York stint didn’t go as planned, Saleh has rehabilitated his image during his first season back in San Francisco. Despite the 49ers missing top defenders like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for much of the campaign, San Francisco still finished the regular season with a 12-5 record. The defense wasn’t unbeatable; they ranked just 20th in total defense and 13th in points allowed. However, Saleh reinforced his reputation of getting the most out of his defensive personnel.

Saleh’s candidacy in Arizona would likely be dependent on the status of his active interview in Tennessee. The coach is currently interviewing for the Titans job, and there’s a chance the organization doesn’t let him out of the building without a deal. In that scenario, the Cardinals would be forced to pivot to another candidate.

Among those names is Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who is considered a “strong candidate” for the job. The other definitive and rumored candidates include:

• Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Patriots): Interview requested
• Matt Burke, defensive coordinator (Texans): Interview requested
• Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
• John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
• Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
• Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/13
• Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview
• Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
• Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
• Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
• Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9