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The Latest: Healthy Luck a selling point for Indy candidates

The latest on NFL coaching firings (All times EST):

5:15 p.m.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard isn't seeking an offensive- or defensive-minded coach to replace Chuck Pagano. He wants a coach who can teach and develop players.

But the most attractive feature of the job may be working with a healthy Andrew Luck - and team owner Jim Irsay is making that a key selling point.

Just a few days after Luck said his surgically repaired right shoulder was feeling stronger and more stable, Irsay went further, predicting Luck would be even better when he returns.

"I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew is going to come back," Irsay said. "I'm telling you that kid is a special kid. Special. He was born to do great things in the National Football League and he will do great things in the National Football League.

"I believe he is going to be back and I believe he is going to be back for a long time and I believe he is going to write his name into the National Football League record books in a very strong way."

If Luck is healthy, the Colts opening becomes far more attractive. Indy has nearly $90 million in salary cap room and the No. 3 pick in the draft to help surround their 28-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with better players.

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1:30 p.m.

Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals has announced his retirement, while Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals says he's still discussing his future with team management.

Arians told players of his much-expected decision Monday. The 65-year-old has dealt with health problems in recent years, including treatment for diverticulitis and a successful fight against kidney cancer last offseason. He won a franchise-record 50 games in his five seasons with the Cardinals.

Lewis just completed his 15th season with the Bengals, none of which included a playoff victory. There was widespread speculation he would not be asked back, but he and owner Mike Brown did not reach a conclusion after meeting Monday.

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1:15 p.m.

Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks says the Giants, Lions and Colts have requested interviews with him for their head coaching positions. If Wilks leaves. it would be the second straight season the Panthers lose a defensive coordinator.

Sean McDermott left Carolina to become the head coach of the Buffalo Bills last year.

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12:55 p.m.

There will be no new coach in Denver.

Broncos general manager John Elway tweeted that he'll be sticking with Vance Joseph despite a 5-11 record that included an eight-game losing streak.

The decision came after reports that Elway might be in search of his fourth head coach in five years. But in his tweet, Elway said he believed in Joseph and that together, they would put in the work to win in 2018.

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12:20 p.m.

The Chicago Bears have fired coach John Fox after a third consecutive year of double-digit losses and last-place finishes.

Fox, who came to Chicago from Denver, where he won four straight AFC West titles, finished 14-34 with the Bears and never won more than six games in any of his three seasons.

He is still 133-123 over a career that also included time with the Carolina Panthers. But Fox's .292 winning percentage will go down as the second worst in the history of the Bears.

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9:45 a.m.

The Detroit Lions have fired coach Jim Caldwell, who finished the season with a 9-7 record but missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Caldwell went 36-28 in four seasons with the Lions.

He joins Chuck Pagano of Indianapolis and Jack Del Rio of Oakland, each fired after their games Sunday.

Other teams that could be making changes today include Arizona, Cincinnati, Chicago and Denver.

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More AP NFL: https://pro32.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is hugged by quarterback Drew Stanton (5) after Seattle Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh missed a field goal at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) The Associated Press
Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph walks off the field after the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney ) The Associated Press
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) The Associated Press
FILE - In a March 29, 2017 file photo, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell answers a question from a reporter during the NFC Head Coaches Breakfast at the NFL football annual meetings, in Phoenix. Detroit on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, fired Caldwell, dismissing a coach who received a multiyear contract extension before the season. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) The Associated Press
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