The Arizona Cardinals have new leadership in the front office. The Cardinals hired Monti Ossenfort to be the new general manager, replacing Steve Keim after 10 years.
They also need to hire a head coach following the firing of Kliff Kingsbury.
Because of Ossenfort’s many years with the New England Patriots, many feel like the favorite to replace Kingsbury is Brian Flores, who was on the Patriots’ coaching staff from 2004-2018, while Ossenfort was there from 2006-2019.
However, another candidate to be head coach also has connections with him and the front office — San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
It is a less obvious connection.
It makes sense with the recent report that Detroit Lions director of college scouting will be Ossenfort’s assistant GM.
Ossenfort, Sears and Ryans all are connected through the Houston Texans.
Ryans was drafted by the Texans in the second round in 2006.
Sears was a scout for the Texans when Ryans was drafted.
Ossenfort was not with the Texans in 2006 but was there 2004-2005 in the scouting department as well. Both likely would have known Ryans.
It isn’t the same sort of working relationship that Ossenfort likely had with Flores, but there are dots that can be connected.
Ryans is expected to interview with the Cardinals this weekend.
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