For Arians at least, it all worked out
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians interviewed for the Bears' head-coach vacancy in January 2013 that went to Marc Trestman instead.
Arians was the reigning coach of the year at the time, having won the award as the Indianapolis Colts' interim head coach when Chuck Pagano stepped down after being diagnosed with leukemia. Arians guided the Colts to a 9-3 record and the AFC South title. That wasn't enough to get Arians the Bears' job, which came us a surprise to him.
“I thought when I left,” Arians said of his job interview, “ ‘I don't think anything could've been any better throughout the whole day.' And I didn't look back thinking I did anything wrong in any way. It was just their decision.
“They were the first ones to put (interview request) paperwork in for me, so that was the first interview I gave. I felt very comfortable. I thought it was a great organization, (General manager) Phil (Emery) and all the guys there, (chairman George) McCaskey — they were great.
“It was a day I felt went very well, and they made a decision and I went on with it.”
Arians won coach of the year again last season, guiding the Cardinals to an 11-5 record after going 10-6 in his first season in Arizona.
So did it all work out for the best?
“There's no doubt,” Arians said. “Things always do.”
Bears fans might disagree. Since Arians wasn't hired in Chicago, the Bears have gone 13-20, while Arizona is 22-11.
Injury update:
Defensive tackle Ego Ferguson (knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Linebackers Sam Acho (ill), Jon Bostic (ankle) and Pernell McPhee (wrist) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (thigh) were limited. For the Cardinals, running back Andre Ellington (knee) did not practice and guard Mile Iupati (knee) was limited.
New guy:
Defensive end Lavar Edwards was added to the 53-man roster, hopefully to replace defensive end Cornelius Washington, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with a quad injury.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Edwards played in 11 games with one start over the previous two seasons with the Tennessee Tennessee (2013) and Dallas Cowboys (2014) and has 10 career tackles.