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In this episode of Locked On Cardinals, Alex Clancy dives deep into the Arizona Cardinals’ decision to retain Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator, parsing through immediate fan reactions, his own initial thoughts, and the broader implications for the team’s direction. The show kicks off addressing the late-night news drop that had the fanbase buzzing and sometimes confused, hinting at both outrage and uncertainty swirling around the move.
Alex Clancy walks listeners through the positives of bringing Nick Rallis back, emphasizing the importance of familiarity—both with the team’s defensive scheme and the players—while also highlighting Rallis’s willingness to innovate despite being dealt a tough hand last season. He reminds listeners that, prior to a rash of injuries that decimated the defense midseason, the Cardinals were surprisingly competitive on that side of the ball. Injuries, according to Clancy, aren’t just excuses but legitimate reasons for 2025’s defensive struggles.
Transitioning to the negatives, Alex Clancy doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges ahead. He points to the team’s alarming points-allowed numbers after the bye, lost momentum, and, most critically, the lack of visible talent development among young defensive players. Naming Darius Robinson, Max Melton, and others, he underscores that 2026 will be a demanding test of Rallis’s ability to cultivate star talent, especially with no Jonathan Gannon in the room for guidance. He laments the sense that Rallis may have been the “lesser of evils” rather than a top choice, but notes the conditions of the coaching carousel and what was really gettable for the franchise.
Shifting gears, Alex Clancy gives his way-too-early grade for the Cardinals’ newly completed coaching staff: Michael LaFleur (offensive coordinator), Nathaniel Hackett (assistant coach), and Nick Rallis (defensive coordinator). He methodically breaks down each hire, exploring their strengths, risks, and the dynamics—sometimes awkward—of their arrivals. LaFleur is seen as a fresh, if unproven, offensive mind shaped by a stint with the Rams, while Hackett—despite public skepticism—brings valuable experience and stability from his years in Green Bay. Rallis is painted as the wild card, with the coming season representing his first real chance to truly own the defense and stand or fall on his own terms.
Alex Clancy ultimately lands on a grade in the C+ to B- range, calling it a risk but also acknowledging that expectations for the staff have to be viewed through the lens of who was realistically available. He reassures listeners, analyzes further coaching hires (such as wide receiver and quarterback coaches), and hints at future discussions—including a theory about how those hires might help key players.
The episode strikes a balance between honest critique and cautious optimism, urging Cardinals fans to brace for a wild—and pivotal—offseason, while inviting them to join the discussion and stay tuned as the staff stamps their mark on the franchise’s next chapter. Let’s discuss.
The Best Daily Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Host Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) take an unbiased approach covering the biggest Cards stories.
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