ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals moving on from DC Vance Joseph, report says

Feb 16, 2023, 4:27 PM | Updated: 4:50 pm
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (second from left) of the Arizona Cardinals participants in a te...
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (second from left) of the Arizona Cardinals participants in a team training camp at State Farm Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Vance Joseph’s time with the Arizona Cardinals has come to a close, as the team released him from his contract, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported on Thursday.

Joseph spent four seasons as Arizona’s defensive coordinator, as he joined head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s staff ahead of the 2019 season.

Kingsbury was fired in January, and the Cardinals hired former Philadelphia Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon as his replacement.

Anderson reported that Gannon planned to speak with Cardinals staff members and offer clarity on their futures with the franchise, and the head coach told reporters he intended to talk with Joseph on Thursday.

Joseph has reportedly received interest from other teams, including the Eagles and Denver Broncos.

Gannon said during his introductory press conference on Thursday that he had not decided whether or not he will call the defense.

“That’s going to depend a little bit on the makeup of the staff,” Gannon said.

Arizona’s defense improved in each of Joseph’s first three years, as it allowed 27.6 points per game in 2019, 22.9 in 2020 and 21.5 in 2021.

Last year was a step back across the board as injuries and poor offensive play put the defense in precarious situations.

The Cardinals allowed 26.4 points per game in 2022, which ranked No. 31 in the league.

Joseph ran an aggressive defense with heavy blitzing and false pressures. The Cardinals finished in the top-four in blitz percentage for four seasons.

He interviewed for the Cardinals’ head coaching position as someone in the building highly respected by the players, but the franchise went in another direction.

Joseph signed a contract extension last offseason, as did Kingsbury.

Anderson reported that Gannon will alert some staff members what their future with the team is in the next 24 hours.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown fined in speeding case

Arizona Cardinals receiver Hollywood Brown was fined $473 with credit for time served for an August speeding arrest on the Loop 101 freeway.
1 day ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
2 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) walks off the field after being checked for an inju...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals replacing head athletic trainer Tom Reed

The Arizona Cardinals have fired longtime head athletic trainer Tom Reed, reports Compare.bet's Kyle Odegard.
2 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch in front of David Long Jr. #22 of the Lo...
Wills Rice

Report: Cardinals grant teams permission to speak to DeAndre Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly granted teams permission to speak to wideout DeAndre Hopkins and his agent, SI's Albert Breer said.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals moving on from DC Vance Joseph, report says