ARIZONA CARDINALS
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2023 AT 11:24 PM
Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis gestures during an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia. It’s a big weekend for Nick Rallis and his big brother Mike. Mike Rallis, better known as WWE star Madcap Moss, is in for Saturday’s Royal Rumble. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)
Arizona Cardinals hire 29-year-old Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
Rallis, 29, was the defensive quality control and linebackers assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 2018-2020 before spending two seasons with Philadelphia and new Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was Eagles DC from 2021 to 2022.
During the 2020 season, the Vikings were the only team in the league with two linebackers to amass more than 100 tackles on the year (Eric Wilson and Eric Kendricks). Kendricks had a career year, being named to his first career Pro Bowl.
In his first season with Philadelphia, the defense allowed fifth-fewest explosive plays (117), ninth-fewest rushing yards per game (107.9), and 10th-fewest total yards per game (328.8). ) in the league, according to the Eagles.
Prior to his move to Minnesota, Rallis spent a season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as quality control coach.
The new DC Cardinals played linebacker at the University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016 and played in 26 games.
Rallis already knows a former Cardinal, as tight end Maxx Williams has shown his support for Hire. Williams and Rallis played with the Golden Gophers from 2013 to 2014.
The Rallis family has a sporting history, as his brother Mike also played soccer in Minnesota and is currently a WWE wrestler wrestling under the name Madcap Moss.
Rallis will assume the position of defensive coordinator despite the fact that Chicago Bears LB coach Dave Borgonzi and New England Patriots DL coach DeMarcus Covington are reportedly linked to the job.
Now that Gannon has reportedly found his defensive coordinator, all eyes in the valley are on the offensive coordinator position and who will work with Kyler Murray.
Names currently tied to Arizona include Cleveland Browns coach QB Drew Petzing, Washington Commanders coach WR Drew Terrell, New Orleans Saints coach RB Joel Thomas and Cincinnati Bengals coach WR Troy Walters.