The Cardinals interviewed Tom Clements for their offensive coordinator post but will be bringing him aboard with a different title.
Arizona will add Clements as its quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). At this point, the Cardinals are not expected to fill the position of offensive coordinator, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Kliff Kingsbury is essentially going to serve in that role, with the 65-year-old Clements now set to play a key part in assisting the first-time NFL coach. The plan will be for Kingsbury to call plays but Clements to assist him in game plans and other facets, per the Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman. Clements’ primary role will be developing Josh Rosen.
Should the Cardinals go without an OC, it will mark an interesting conclusion to a lengthy process. The franchise interviewed four coaches — Clements, Jim Bob Cooter, Hue Jackson and John DeFilippo — for the role and sought meetings with other coaches that did not end up taking place. The Cards were initially connected to an all-college group, with Texas State HC Jake Spavital mentioned as a candidate. The team also wanted to interview 49ers assistant Mike McDaniel and former Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian. Neither came to pass, and the search moved on to names like Cooter, Clements, DeFilippo and Jackson this week.
Clements, 65, has coached at the NFL level since 1997. He served as an OC or assistant head coach with the Packers and Bills, the latter from 2004-05 and the former from 2012-16. Clements has not coached in the league since his 11-season Packers tenure ended. Prior to ascending to Green Bay’s OC role, Clements coached Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers as QBs coach for six seasons.
This will be the sixth franchise with which Clements has been employed.
I mean not having an OC is way better than having Hue Jackson on your staff
The Cardinals offense isn’t on the field long enough to require any coordination. They were dead last in time of possession this season.