The Arizona Cardinals have hired Monty Olson Ford as their new general manager. The Cardinals announced the decision on Monday.
Oxenford joins the Cardinals after three seasons as director of player personnel for the Tennessee Titans. Before joining the Titans in 2020, Ossenfort held multiple roles in the New England Patriots’ scouting department from 2006-19 and one season in 2003. The Patriots won four Super Bowls during Ossenfort’s tenure.
Ossenfort has 21 years of experience working with NFL scouts and player personnel. He replaces Steve Keim, who was sacked last week along with manager Clive Kingsbury. Cam spent 10 seasons as Arizona’s general manager. He oversaw the Kingsbury era, which saw the Cardinals make only the playoffs in quarterback Kyler Murray’s four seasons.
After a playoff appearance, the Cardinals fell back to 4-13 on the season, but fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. Last offseason, they signed Murray to a $230 million contract extension.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell said in a statement: “It was critical for us to find the right person to lead us as general manager and, in my opinion, we have the best of both worlds at Monty Olson Ford. Such a candidate.”
The first major item on Oxenfurt’s agenda will be the hiring of a head coach. After a disappointing Kingsbury era, the Cardinals are committed to Murray at quarterback and looking to change the locker room culture.
The Cardinals have interviewed San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans for the position, according to multiple reports. They also reportedly requested permission to interview former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who previously coached the Miami Dolphins. Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is also reportedly a candidate for the job.
