ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals hire Eagles LBs coach Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator

Feb 18, 2023, 8:47 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2023, 2:41 pm
Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis gestures during a preseason NFL football game aga...

Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis gestures during a preseason NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia. It's a big weekend for Nick Rallis and big brother Mike. Mike Rallis, better known as WWE star Madcap Moss, is in the mix for Saturday's Royal Rumble. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)

(AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)

The Arizona Cardinals are hiring 29-year-old Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator, the team announced Tuesday.

The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported the news.

Rallis, 29, was the defensive quality control and assistant linebackers coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 2018-2020 before spending two seasons with Philadelphia and new Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon, who served as Eagles DC from 2021-22.

During the 2020 season, the Vikings were the only team in the league with two linebackers to amass 100-plus 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 the 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 time in Minnesota, Rallis spent one season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as a quality control coach.

The new Cardinals DC played linebacker at the University of Minnesota from 2012-16 and appeared in 26 games.

Rallis is already familiar with one former Cardinal, as free agent tight end Maxx Williams has shown his support of the hire. Williams and Rallis played together with the Golden Gophers from 2013-14.

The Rallis family has an athletic history, as his brother Mike also played football at Minnesota and is currently a WWE wrestler that fights under the name Madcap Moss.

Rallis will assume the defensive coordinator position despite Chicago Bears LBs coach Dave Borgonzi and New England Patriots DL coach DeMarcus Covington being reportedly linked to the job.

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
21 hours ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
21 hours ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
21 hours ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
21 hours ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
21 hours ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
2 days ago
Cardinals hire Eagles LBs coach Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator