Report: Andy Reid To The Cardinals “All But Done?”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that sources close to Andy Reid are insisting that a deal is not close with the Cardinals and there’s currently “no leading candidate at this time.”

This really seems like information was leaked by one side in the hopes of gaining come leverage in negotiations. Arizona seems prepared to continue their search and meet with more candidates in the coming days. Reid still looks like the favorite, but a lot can change in a short period of time.

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Ian Rapoport tweets that sources believe Andy Reid will try to convince the Cardinals that he can fix QB Kevin Kolb.

Rapoport adds that the Cardinals would like to retain Kolb next season, despite his large salary.

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Howard Eskin of FOX 29 reports that the hang up regarding Andy Reid to the Cardinals could be related to Reid’s insistence that ex-Browns GM Tom Heckert be brought in as GM.

Arizona is reportedly hoping to retain VP of player personnel Steve Keim, who has drawn interest from other teams in the last few days.

The two sides are obviously negotiating a number of factors, so they may not be done as soon as many thought earlier in the day.

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ESPN’s Mike Sando writes that the current situation involving the Cardinals and Andy Reid has the signs of being a power play between the two sides.

Sando mentions that he’s not reporting anything in particular, but notes that Reid’s agent Bob LaMonte has a history of being involved in deals where information has been leaked regarding one of his clients.

This subsequently adds pressure to the organization to get the deal done and shifts leverage to their side. Arizona appears to be very interested in Reid, but are also willing to interview other candidates if it means the possibility of lowering Reid’s asking price.

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Kent Somers tweets that he’s been informed that Tom Heckert is not being consideration for Cardinals GM vacancy.

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The Arizona Cardinals VP of media relations Mark Dalton tweeted that the Cardinals interviewed DC Ray Horton today and have reached out to Andy Reid, but haven’t setup a meeting yet.

They are expected to interview Broncos OC Mike McCoy in Denver this weekend.

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Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic tweets that his sources have mentioned that things aren’t as far along as other reports have indicated.

Mike Silver of Yahoo Sports adds that Reid hasn’t even been interviewed for the job just yet.

While that’s important to consider, the Cardinals could still get a deal done in the near future. Nothing guaranteed at this point in time.

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Tim Ring of KTVK-TV follows up his previous report by mentioning that a league source has informed him that Andy Reid to the Cardinals is “all but done.”

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton was interviewed this morning to meet the requirements for the “Rooney Rule.”

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Tim Ring of KTVK-TV reports that the Arizona Cardinals are “very close” to reaching an agreement with former Eagles head coach Andy Reid.

I am reporting the Cardinals are very close to a deal with Andy Reid to become the team’s next head coach.#AZCardinals #Eagles #NFL

— Tim Ring (@timring3TV) January 1, 2013

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Reid could be named the Cardinals next head coach by the end of the week. Schefter’s source added that there’s a  “95 percent” chance Reid gets the job.
• Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that former Browns GM Tom Heckart will be reuniting with Andy Reid in Arizona.
• Jason La Canfora adds that former Eagles coordinators Juan Castillo, Pat Shurmur and Brad Childress could all follow Reid to Arizona.
• Ian Rapoport tweets that the Cardinals could end up keeping Kevin Kolb as their quarterback, while retaining the defensive coaching staff.

Reid was reportedly interested in the Chargers and Cardinals head coaching positions. Reports over the weekend suggested that Reid was already lining up his next coaching staff and with a lot of competition for the 7 head coaching jobs out there, it makes sense to see him move quickly.

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Jason La Canfora tweets that he expects Andy Reid to be the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

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Cardinals president Michael Bidwill mention that he expects to interview former Eagles head coach Andy Reid, current Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as well as their defensive coordinator Ray Horton for the head coaching vacancy, per Darren Urban.

Bidwill added that he’s willing to consider offering personnel responsibilities to a potential coach as well.

Arizona fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt and GM Rod Graves earlier this morning, but these are some pretty obvious candidates for the job. Reid was reportedly interested in the Chargers and Cardinals jobs, but San Diego is apparently looking at different candidates, which leaves Arizona in the driver’s seat Reid.

McCoy is a very hot commodity right now and already has an interview lined up with the Chicago Bears. The same could be said for Horton, who is also drawing a lot interest at this point in the process.