Bruce Arians to be Cardinals Head Coach. Jay Gruden Stays in Ciny
By Jason Marcum
UPDATE 8:10 PM
Bruce Arians has agreed to a contract to coach the Cardinals. Could end up bringing Todd Bowles as his DC if Eagles let him go
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 18, 2013
After interviewing Colts OC Bruce Arians today, it appears the Arizona Cardinals are on the verge of naming him the teams’ next head coach:
#Cardinals met with Bruce Arians today. He left with a great feeling. He was rewarded with an offer. Source says he'll be the team's HC.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2013
This means Jay Gruden will remain the Bengals Offensive Coordinator, and the team will return both of their primary coordinators, as well as a wealth of talented young players that should be back in the postseason in 2013.
Oct 16, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals Jay Gruden watches the big screen during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Colts 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
With just one NFL head-coaching opening left, it appeared for a second as though that the Bengals would be keeping their two primary coordinators for at least one more season. However, ESPN analyst John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620 that he thinks Bengals Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden will be the next Arizona Cardinals Head Coach:
"When you look at what’s there for the Arizona Cardinals they still can maybe get a Bruce Arians, they can still maybe get a Jay Gruden. I don’t know where it stands with Todd Haley but you don’t get good vibes about that. I still think in the end it’s going to be Jay Gruden."
The only other candidate Clayton foresees as a legitimate candidate for the cards ins Colts OC Bruce Arians, but doesn’t see him leaving Indianapolis after just one season:
"I can’t see Bruce Arians wanting to just get a head coaching job. I mean this guy; he’s got a great situation. Why leave Andrew Luck? He’s that good.If you’re attached to Andrew Luck and you are as good as coach as [Arians] is why leave him? You’ll get offers next year.If you don’t feel comfortable with the coaches that you can work with, you can pick and choose. I would not doubt that [Arians] can get that offer but also too what I would question is whether he would take it if he can’t have everything that he wants."
Arians had dinner with Cardinals officials in Arizona on Wednesday night and is reportedly still meeting with them today. You can view his meeting with the Arizona media here:
Watch live streaming video from nflcardinals at livestream.com
Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed.