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Bruce Arians, Cardinals Reportedly Will Agree to Part Ways After Season
December 26, 2017
The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Bruce Arians will reportedly part ways at the conclusion of the regular season, according to Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly.
Arkush reported the sides will make it official next week and that Arians' decision is related to his health and the fact the Cards may be forced into a rebuild due to their issues at quarterback.
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN refuted the report, calling it "100 percent not true." Weinfuss added Arians will inform the Cardinals whether or not he will return shortly after Week 17.
The 65-year-old Arians is a prostate cancer survivor who had surgery during the offseason to remove part of his kidney due to renal cell carcinoma.
After Arians led the Cards to 10 or more wins in three straight seasons from 2013 through 2015, Arizona has struggled in each of the past two seasons.
The Cardinals went 7-8-1 last year, and they enter Week 17 with a 7-8 mark.
Arizona made the playoffs in 2014 and 2015, including going 13-3 and reaching the NFC Championship Game during the 2015 season before falling to the Carolina Panthers.
Injuries have ravaged the Cards this season, with the biggest losses being quarterback Carson Palmer (broken arm) and running back David Johnson (wrist).
According to Arkush, the injuries have taken a toll on the two-time NFL Coach of the Year and added to his frustration in 2017.
He added that Arians' departure could have a domino effect, as it would make it less likely that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will return to the NFL next season.
Arians is 48-30-1 with the Cardinals, and he previously went 9-3 as an interim head coach with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.