Andy Reid spent 14 seasons as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles before getting fired, but it looks like it won't be long until he finds his next job.
According to multiple reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL sources, the Arizona Cardinals have targeted Reid as the main candidate to become their next head coach. One of Schefter's sources said that Reid to the Cardinals was "95 percent" certain. Other reports said that the job search was wide open for any candidate, but that Reid will interview for the job on Wednesday.
The Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt on Monday and immediately began interviewing for his replacement. The team formally interviewed defensive coordinator Ray Horton on Tuesday and Cardinals president Michael Bidwill has plans to speak with Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy this week.
KTVK-TV in Phoenix reported on Tuesday that Reid was the favorite for the job, which would reunite him with a quarterback he once drafted in Philadelphia in Kevin Kolb.
Kolb was traded to the Cardinals in 2011 and signed a five-year, $63 million contract with the team, but has struggled over the past two years, playing in only 15 games. He has been a major disappointment with the Cardinals, throwing for just 1,169 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
"I'm not ready to give up on Kevin Kolb yet," Bidwill said Monday.
Kolb split time with John Skelton and Ryan Lindley this season, but if Reid became the head coach, he could help spearhead a quarterback project with Kolb at the helm. Reid is known for his work with quarterbacks, including Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, and could be the offensive mind that Kolb needs to succeed.
While playing under Reid in various spots, Kolb looked comfortable and capable, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in four seasons with the Eagles. He was a second round draft pick under Reid before being traded. The Cardinals decision at head coach will be partially based on what they decide to do with Kolb down the line.
"That's one of the questions we will really focus on with the coaching staff candidates," Bidwill said. "How do we see about Kevin and his performance and how we can turn him into the quarterback of the future here for the Cardinals and make that decision, if he is the right guy?"
The offense was dreadful this season under Whisenhunt and ranked 32nd in the league in rushing and 28th in passing while averaging just 15 points per game, second worst in the league. The team wasn't able to use wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as much as they wanted to because of the quarterback play, limiting him to just 71 catches for 798 yards and four touchdowns.
"We all shoulder the blame for a disappointing season which began with such promise," Fitzgerald wrote, according to ESPN.com. "Even in the midst of a tumultuous season, it was still a pleasure to work for the staff we served under, and for that we remain grateful. Their professionalism will provide for renewed accomplishments in different environs. We all, to a man, thank them and wish them the best."
Whisenhunt holds the record for wins by a Cardinals coach, but went just 45-51 in six seasons, including , 4-2 in the playoffs. Arizona started off as one of the surprise teams in the league after going 4-0, but lost 11 of the final 12 games to finish 5-11 for the second time in three seasons. The only win for the team over that stretch was a 38-10 victory over the Detroit Lions on Dec. 16.
Reid would bring a resume of success over a long period of time, something the Cardinals have not had in recent history. The best stretch for the team came in 2008 and 2009 when the Cardinals won two NFC West titles in a row and made it to the Super Bowl once, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his time with the Eagles, Reid was one of the most successful coaches in the NFL. He went 130-93-1 and won 10 postseason games while going to the playoffs nine times. He led the team to five NFC championship games, including four consecutive appearances from 2001-2004, and to Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004.
Before he was fired, Reid was the longest tenured head coach in the NFL since joining the Eagles in 1999. This year's 4-12 record was the worst for Reid since his first year with the team and ended on a sour note after a 42-7 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday in Week 17.
The Eagles lost 11 of the last 12 games of the season, winning 23-21 against Tampa Bay on Dec. 9 for the lone victory during that span. The Eagles dealt with mediocre play and injuries all season, including to quarterback Michael Vick, who threw for 2,362 yards and 12 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 10 games played.
LeSean McCoy dealt with a concussion and DeSean Jackson was forced to go on injured reserve after suffering a rib injury. The Eagles started 3-1 this season, but lost the following eight games in a row, including a 31-6 defeat against the Washington Redskins. Vick suffered a concussion during the streak and was benched for rookie Nick Foles.
Philadelphia had issues on both sides of the ball this season and finished ranked 23rd in the league in rushing defense while allowing 27 points per game.
Reid is not the type of coach to sit around for a year and wait for jobs to open up. With so many openings after Black Monday, teams are reaching out to candidates in hopes to get their main choice before someone else signs them. Reid is highly coveted and according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, he has already spoken to some coaches and has started to assemble a staff for when the time comes.
The same report also says that it is likely that former Browns GM Tom Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur could join Reid in Arizona, along with offensive line coach/defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and former Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
