Nick Rallis

Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals (ARI).

Quick Facts

• Role: Defensive Coordinator
• Team: Arizona Cardinals (ARI)
• NFL experience: Not listed
• Reports to: Mike LaFleur (Head Coach)
• Coaching tree: see Coaching Trees

Background

Rallis was hired as the Cardinals' defensive coordinator in 2023 after two seasons (2021-22) as linebackers coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. Under Rallis, S Budda Baker has been a Pro Bowl starter each of the last three seasons (2023-25) and leads all NFL DBs with 371 tackles over that span. In 2025, free-agent LB Josh Sweat was named a Pro Bowl alternate with career highs of 12.0 sacks and four forced fumbles. Earlier, he helped Eagles LB T.J. Edwards (159 tackles in 2022) and Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (first-team All-Pro in 2019) to career years.

Scheme & Fantasy Angle

Rallis's defense leans on a productive, tackle-heavy back seven, headlined by Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker — relevant for IDP fantasy formats that reward defensive backs and pass rushers like Josh Sweat.