Arizona Cardinals: Don’t bury Bruce Arians yet
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has reportedly agreed to part ways with the team next week
Imagine the surprise when this morning it was being reported that Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and the team have agreed to “mutually” part ways next week once the 2017 season ends. Don’t believe everything you read or hear.
While it is plausible that it happens at some point once the season ends Sunday afternoon in Seattle, how about we just let the season play out and see what happens? There was a report Arians would be out. Others saying, not so fast.
Bruce Arians, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year who is just less than two seasons removed from taking the Arizona Cardinals to the NFC title game, will agree to part ways with the Cardinals next week, multiple sources tell Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) December 26, 2017
This report isn’t surprising. Two months ago Arians was ready to call it quits because of his health, at least according to one local Phoenix report. Most media outlets reported that as not being true.
Could it be possible Arians steps down? Absolutely. Given his health history and the team’s recent performance, it certainly isn’t a stretch. But no one within the organization has even hinted at the idea, including Arians himself.
According to a source, the Pro Football Weekly report that Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and the team will mutually agree to part ways after Sunday's game "is 100 percent not true." The decision will be Arians' to make. https://t.co/9B8HFZZO3A
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 26, 2017
Adding to the Bruce Arians story: He’ll let the Cardinals know quickly after the season ends Sunday if he’ll retire or return.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 26, 2017
BA will not drag this out if he truly does intend to leave. If he does leave, it has to be on his own accord. There is no way the Cardinals would be firing him.
The team has had a lot of injuries. He has won coach of the year twice in the previous five seasons. There will be no “mutual” parting.
Now, Arians could approach them with a plan to retire in a season after one more run with quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals likely would “mutally” agree to that.
Related Story: Arizona Cardinals: 20 players on the bubble for 2018
In the end though, who knows what really is true? Just based on what we know about BA and the Cardinals, this will be a BA decision to return or not.
He may very well have already made up his mind. If he does decide to leave, then job well done coach.
He has helped put the Cardinals back on the map. For now, only believe what is confirmed. BA leaving is not a confirmed report.