ESPN reporting Arizona Cardinals’ coach will walk away
By Jim Koch
If what ESPN’s Adam Schefter is saying holds water, the Arizona Cardinals’ 2017 season finale will be Bruce Arians’ last game
The upcoming offseason for the Arizona Cardinals may be getting much more interesting. A certain decision that’s set to be relayed to the fans, possibly as soon as Sunday night, could have an enormous impact on the organization. And if the latest report on that subject turns out to be true, the effects it could have on the 2018 season may be devastating.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bruce Arians will be saying goodbye to both the Cardinals and the NFL. The report indicates that Sunday’s finale versus the Seattle Seahawks will be the head coach’s last time on the sidelines. At the same time, it must be noted, that Schefter’s information has come from “league sources” and not from the lips of Arians.
Nevertheless, this could be a case of where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Arians has had various health issues since he became Arizona’s leader in 2013. The latest, and perhaps most serious, was back in February when a cancerous part of the 65-year old’s kidney was removed.
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The rumor that Arians is leaving, if true, may have a domino effect on the Cards. Besides waiting on the head coach to make up his mind, there are two other major pieces of the club who are considering retirement as well. Arians calling it quits could very well make up the two player’s minds for them.
One half of that duo is Carson Palmer. Does the squad’s starting quarterback, who turned 38 years old just the other day, really desire to learn a new offense? Logical thinking says no, so the quality of Arizona’s quarterback play could take a huge hit in ’18.
The same goes for the other part of that pair, as well. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has flourished in Arians’ offense, catching over 100 balls for three campaigns in a row. But like Palmer, having to learn a whole new offense may not seem overly-appealing to the 34-year old legend.
There’s no denying that the past five years have been a great chapter in the existence of the franchise. In fact, a win today in Seattle would make Arians the winningest head coach in Cardinals history. If this is indeed the end of the line, much thanks to the “Quarterback Whisperer” for supplying us fans with such a fun ride.