Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals to part ways?

As a second straight non-playoff season nears an end, Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly headed for an amicable parting of ways.

Following an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, the Arizona Cardinals went 7-8-1 in 2016. Things have not been any better this year, due in part to some key injuries, but the Cardinals can salvage a .500 record with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has dealt with some health issues in recent years, including a kidney cancer diagnosis that did not come to light until after. Couple that with the uncertain futures of quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and things could look a lot different in Arizona heading into next season.

Arians has said he will coach as long as he is healthy, but a report on Christmas Eve said he has not told the Cardinals if he plans to return in 2018. But now, it appears the scales are tipping one direction.

According to Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly, the Cardinals and Arians will agree to ”part ways” when the season is over. He is a 48-30-1 record over five seasons as Arizona’s head coach, including 10, 11 and 13 wins in this first three seasons.

As coaches start getting fired next Sunday night and into “Black Monday”, it’s worth noting the split between Arians and the Cardinals will be amicable. A possible rebuild is probably not something he wants to be a part of, and Arians could simply take a hiatus from coaching.

Next: NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 17

Arians’ departure may pave the way for Fitzgerald to retire. The future Hall of Famer is under contract for next season on a one-year extension, but he’s hardly fully committed to play another season if Palmer calls it quits, and the Cardinals don’t have a viable quarterback in place.