The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly requested an interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans for their head-coaching vacancy, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Ryans, 38, is the latest defensive-minded coach to be linked to the Cardinals after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that in-house coordinator Vance Joseph was interviewing for the job.

The Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers have also requested permission to speak with Ryans.

“It’s very humbling to be able to get requests for head-coaching interviews,” Ryans told reporters on Monday. “It’s humbling when you think about all the guys that coached before me and a lot of guys put in a lot of years. A guy like (49ers running back coach) Bobby Turner comes to mind and all of the years he put in. I think about guys like that and them not being able to get the opportunity and me truly being able to go represent for them. It means a lot for the other guys who have been before me.

“It’s special to be able to be in a select group to have head-coaching interviews and people requesting. It’s a special moment, it’s a proud moment and I’m very thankful and grateful just to be spoken of in that light.”

It’s been a quick climb up the coaching ranks for Ryans, who has been San Francisco’s DC for the past two seasons after beginning as a quality control coach in 2017 before being promoted to inside linebackers coach from 2018-20.

Since taking over as coordinator in 2021, the 49ers defense hasn’t skipped a beat, finishing third or better in total offense allowed. This past regular season, the defense gave up 300.6 yards per game (first in the NFL).

Obviously, if the Cardinals went with Ryans, the biggest question would center around who would take over offensive coordinator duties.

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