Cardinals Head Coach Rumors: Jim Schwartz, Matt Patricia Targeted by Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals put in requests to interview several assistants for their open head coach position on Monday, with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia among the targets.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news, later adding the team also requested to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak.

Adam Schefter of ESPN also added the Cardinals also requested to interview Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores.

Those reports came on the heels of Bruce Arians announcing Monday that he was stepping down as Cardinals head coach and retiring from the profession, per ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss.

After reaching the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, Arizona fell to 7-8-1 last season and finished 2017 with an 8-8 record after a 26-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 31.

Schwartz and Patricia are among the hottest head coaching candidates entering 2018, as their names have been attached to several openings already.

The 51-year-old Schwartz has spent the past two seasons as Philly's defensive coordinator, and he also served in that role for the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and the Titans from 2001 through 2008.

Schwartz has head coaching experience as well, going 29-51 in five seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2009 through 2013. That included a playoff berth in 2011, which was Detroit's first trip to the playoffs since 1999.

During the 2017 regular season, the 13-3 Eagles ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense and fourth in points allowed.

The 43-year-old Patricia has been part of New England's coaching staff since 2004, taking on the role of defensive coordinator in 2012.

After a rough start to the season, the Pats bounced back to finish 29th in total defense, but fifth in points allowed in 2017.

Patricia is a three-time Super Bowl champion as an assistant in New England, and he will look to earn a fourth ring this season.

Regardless of who Arizona hires, it will mark the franchise's sixth different head coach since 2000.