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listen Listen: John Clayton, ESPN NFL Insider
John tells Doug & Wolf Bruce Arians was set to take the Bears HC job and had both Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm on his staff before Marc Trestman got the job. He also gave us his surprise pick to get the Cardinals gig.

The Arizona Cardinals are one of only two teams who are still looking for a new head coach. But they do appear to be taking steps forward.

Team brass interviewed Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on Wednesday and are tentatively set to meet with Indianapolis Colts OC Bruce Arians on Thursday.

ESPN insider John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620's Doug & Wolf Wednesday which coaching options could still be viable for the Cardinals.

"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," Clayton said. "I don't know where it stands with Todd Haley but you don't get good vibes about that."

Clayton does think there is a frontrunner for the Cardinals coaching vacancy -- and it's a guy who has already been interviewed.

"I still think in the end it's going to be Jay Gruden," Clayton said. "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." Clayton believes Arians will get plenty of offers next offseason and has no reason to rush into a situation -- particularly if it ends up being a poor fit.

"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," Clayton said.

Even if the Cardinals made Arians an offer, Clayton is not convinced he will accept.

"If you don't feel comfortable with the coaches that you can work with, you can pick and choose," Clayton explained. "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."

Clayton believes the Cardinals' unsettled quarterback situation has cost them many potential candidates.

"It's still a perception that you're judged on what quarterbacks you have. If it didn't work out with Kevin Kolb, which it hasn't worked out with the other quarterbacks, you're going to be down the list," Clayton said.

Daria Del Colliano, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

12 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    Amazing
    How can anyone believe anything this guys says about sports considering he's never played on that didn't involve a gaming controller. Clayton is the geek squad of ESPN.
    Dale
  • Abuse
    Whatashame wrote...
    I think
    my penis has a better chance at this point
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ whatashame, lmfknao
    that was really funny.
  • Abuse
    desert designer wrote...
    Getting Ugly Fast
    Now it's Gruden? This afternoon it was Arians. this morning it was Bevell. Hell dig up Lombardi while we're at it. Maybe the Gipper. I hear Y A Tittle is laying around with nothing to do. Coach Horton don't blame you if you walk.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    This is just Clayton's opinion
    I like Clayton but his opinions don't carry a lot of weight, despite the "insider" tag.
  • Abuse
    Joe1013e wrote...
    "Insider"
    Andy Reid, McCoy, now Gruden. I'm starting to think that Clayton is just pulling names out of a hat. You know, the Cards process. Maybe they're the team Doug was talking about today, where the owner wanted to hear the candidates Halftime Speech.
  • Abuse
    cbarnes40 wrote...
    NFL Insiders, don't really have inside information
    They should be called NFL Guessers, since that is all they get paid to do. I don't mind their opinions since they do have inside sources and are closer to the game, but saying Gruden is the next coach and that Arians wouldn't leave is probably not true. What if Luck has a "Sophomore Slump" next season. That will definitely cost Arians a HC job. I also don't want a coach who has to have a QB in place. What if that starter goes down with an injury or retires earlier than expected? Than your left with a coach like Whiz who struggled to replace the QB.
  • Abuse
    enforcer wrote...
    But are they 95% sure
    I can only hope espn is wrong about this like they are with so many other things. Gruden is the worst choice of anyone they've interviewed.
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    Unless
    the Gruden is John Gruden, keep on walking!
  • Abuse
    AZSPORTFAN wrote...
    I Hope Not
    I would rather have a Horton, Bevell team
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