Lou Anarumo. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals DC receives first head-coaching interview

The Bengals 2022 season ended abruptly last night after losing 23-20 to the Chiefs in the AFC title game. But news broke this morning of a silver lining for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

The Cardinals have requested to interview Anarumo for their vacant head-coaching job, according to NFL Network's Peter Schrager.

Anarumo had yet to receive a single interview this year after having one of the better defenses in the league and helping lead Cincinnati to its second straight AFC Championship game.

His defense was the fifth-best in points per game (20.1) in the regular season. It was also the third-best in points per game (16.7) throughout the postseason, and the best of among those who have played three playoff games.

Whoever ends up taking over as the Cardinals head coach is inheriting a team that went 4-13 and will probably be without QB Kyler Murray to start the 2023 season after having ACL surgery.

It will be a tall task but Anarumo could be the guy for the job as he has helped turn the Bengals organization around. Cincinnati went 6-25-1 from 2019-2020 but 22-11 from 2021-2022.

Arizona has had to somewhat restart its search after some of its candidates stayed with their respective teams or were hired elsewhere. It's something the team is familiar with since 2013. 

Will Anarumo be the latest example of a great leader who most overlooked?

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Roger Goodell speaks honestly about 18-game NFL season plan
Orioles make big decision with struggling top prospect
ESPN analysts disagree over Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.
Former Knicks guard calls out Joel Embiid for questionable play
LeBron James as Lakers struggle: 'We're supposed to have anxiety'
Bills GM doesn't regret trading back with Chiefs in first round of NFL Draft
Caleb Williams embracing lofty, historic goals with Bears
Yet another starting pitcher goes down with elbow discomfort
A look at how the first round of the NFL Draft went for the NFC North
Will Patriots start Drake Maye over Jacoby Brissett?
Former Giants OL Korey Cunningham dies at 28
After draft disappointment, Knicks' Josh Hart has found his NBA home
Magic end 13-year drought as Paolo Banchero makes history
Joel Embiid makes incredible NBA playoffs history
Falcons make awful draft decision with No. 8 overall pick
Joel Embiid's career high keeps 76ers alive in series vs. Knicks
Bears select Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Shohei Ohtani says what he's 'grateful' for following interpreter gambling scandal
Eagles lock in another star wide receiver with record contract extension
Panthers win again to push Lightning to playoff brink

Want more NFL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.