Cardinals Working To Sign Dick LeBeau As LBs Coach

Update:

Alex Marvez of FOX Sports is reporting that the Cardinals are working to “seal deal” and make former Steelers DC Dick LeBeau the team’s new linebackers coach.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that the Cardinals have scheduled a meeting with LeBeau for next week about a senior coaching position on their staff.

This fits with numerous reports from Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910, who had said LeBeau would be joining the Cardinals coaching staff “at some point” in a similar role as Tom Moore.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic mentions OLB coach James Bettcher, CBs coach Kevin Ross and DBs coach Nick Rapone as assistant’s who could be promoted to defensive coordinator.

We’ll have more updates as the news is available.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports expects the Cardinals to move quickly to hire former Steelers DC Dick LeBeau to replace Todd Bowles, who has reportedly agreed to become the Jets new head coach.

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Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that former Steelers DC Dick LeBeau has spoke to Cardinals HC Bruce Arians about the possibly of joining their coaching staff.

In a somewhat surprising move, LeBeau informed the Steelers this past weekend that he was resigning as their defensive coordinator.

Since then, reporters around the NFL had suggested that the Cardinals could make sense for LeBeau, especially with DC Todd Bowles well positioned to take a head-coaching job at some point in the near future.

Arians and LeBeau worked together while in Pittsburgh, and the Cardinals are already employing a 3-4 defense, so the transition for the two parties may not be all that severe.

LeBeau is 77 years old, so his age could be a concern for some teams, but he could be a great replacement option for someone like the Cardinals if they end up with a vacancy.

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Jason Cole, citing a source close to former Steelers DC Dick LeBeau, reports that the Hall of Fame coach still wants to be defensive coordinator, despite resigning from his position on Saturday.

Cole mentions that the most likely landing spot for LeBeau right now would be the Cardinals, if their current DC Todd Bowles takes a head-coaching job in the coming days.

According to Cole, other teams who could interest in LeBeau include the Titans and Bengals.

Tennessee HC Ken Whisenhunt spent time working with LeBeau several years ago while they were both on the Steelers’ coaching staff, but they have Ray Horton currently in charge of their defense.

LeBeau was actually the head coach of the Bengals several years ago, and reportedly has a big fan in owner Mike Brown. However, they also have a defensive coordinator in place in Paul Guenther.

While LeBeau would reportedly like get another defensive coordinator position, Cole adds he may have to consider a job as a position coach. Although, a source close to LeBeau have said that it’s unlikely he would take this kind of position.

For what it’s worth, Jason La Canfora also suggested the Cardinals and Titans as potential options for LeBeau, depending on what happens in the next few weeks.