Cardinals Hire Steve Wilks As Head Coach; Brian Flores Staying With Patriots?

UPDATE (3:30 p.m. ET): The Arizona Cardinas on Monday named Steve Wilks their new head coach.

Wilks, who was the Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator before taking the job in Arizona, signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth season.

Wilks succeeds Bruce Arians, who spent five seasons as Arizona’s head coach before announcing his retirement immediately following the regular season.

ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots appear to be getting more good news Monday morning.

The Arizona Cardinals are “closing in” on a deal to hire Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks as their next head coach, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported Monday, citing sources.

Per Garafolo and CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Cardinals no longer have any second interviews scheduled for the head coach vacancy.

Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores was among the candidates expected to have a second interview with Arizona after drawing interest from the club. Once the Cardinals finalize their deal with Wilks, it could mean Flores gets promoted to New England’s defensive coordinator role, as Matt Patricia is expected to take the Detroit Lions’ head coach job after the season.

As for Wilks, the 48-year-old has been with the Panthers since 2012 and was promoted to assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at the beginning of the 2017 season. He’s been a hot name on the NFL head coach market and reportedly interviewed for the New York Giants’ job, as well. Wilks would fill in for Bruce Arians, who announced his retirement following the regular season.