Top storylines to watch for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles against the Kansas City Chiefs at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Will the Cardinals have to manage without Todd Bowles?

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has done a fine job in Arizona. The Cardinals allowed the fewest yards per game in terms of rushing in 2013, and this season, they finished being fifth in points allowed per game with 18.7. The performance speaks both to the talent of the players and the skill of the coach. Bowles has a reputation for being extremely creative and extremely hard to plan for.

Unfortunately, from the perspective of Cardinals fans, he;s done his job too well. The Cards may need a replacement if Bowles is given the chance to be a head coach somewhere else. Per Pro Football Talk, all teams with vacancies at the head coaching positions(except now the Bills) have been asking to interview Bowles.

Would his departure spell doom for Arizona? Not likely. He isn’t the only person looking for an NFL job that knows how to run an effective defense. He is, however, liked by his players and seemingly with Bruce Arians and the Arizona fan base, so his departure would be a negative for the Cards.

Maybe teams will go in other directions. Maybe he would rather be the defensive coordinator of a winning team like Arizona than be the head coach of a directionless team like the Jets. All the possibilities, and all their repercussions, are what makes this situation matter.