Assessing 2023 NFL head-coach hires: Can ex-Eagles coordinators win?

The Arizona Cardinals brought the 2023 NFL head-coaching carousel to a halt on Valentine's Day, selecting Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to the post, sources told Adam Schefter. Gannon replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who did not win a playoff game in four seasons in the desert and whose tenure ended with a 4-13 thud in 2022.

Earlier in the day, the Indianapolis Colts tabbed Gannon's fellow Eagles coordinator Shane Steichen for their top role. Like Gannon, Steichen parlayed his team's Super Bowl trip into his first head-coaching job. He'll take over a Colts franchise that sank to 4-12-1 under Frank Reich and Jeff Saturday last season.

Before the Gannon and Steichen news, Sean Payton's hire by the Denver Broncos and DeMeco Ryans' selection to the top job of the Houston Texans had been the most recent matches. Payton's name was the biggest of the 2023 NFL coaching carousel, and his upcoming work with struggling former All-Pro quarterback Russell Wilson figures to be heavily scrutinized. Ryans, meanwhile, will attempt to revive a Texans franchise for which he once starred at linebacker (2006-11) before building a coaching career that included defensive coordinator duties with a top-flight San Francisco 49ers group.

The Carolina Panthers opened things up by naming ex-Colts coach Frank Reich to their head job.

NFL Insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler debated each of the five hires made during the 2023 cycle.

Jonathan Gannon to the Cardinals

NFL background: Defensive coordinator for the Eagles (2021-2022); defensive backs coach for the Colts (2018-20); assistant defensive backs coach for the Vikings (2014-17); defensive quality control coach for the Titans (2012-13); scout for the Rams (2009-11); defensive quality control coach for the Falcons (2007)