Arizona Cardinals considering Rapone, Bettcher for DC; scheduled to meet with LeBeau

I wouldn't call it surprising news, but the talk of adding former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau took a one step closer to actually happening.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Arizona Cardinals and LeBeau now are not just rumored to get together, but they are now scheduled for a meeting next week to discuss a senior assistant position.

LeBeau was clear with his resignation from Pittsburgh that he was not retiring. Will he take an advisory job, or will he want more money than the Cardinals are willing to pay? That remains to be seen, but all indications seem to be this deal will happen.

As for the decision to replace Todd Bowles at defensive coordinator, we know have a couple of names. They are the same as have been tossed around. According to Mike Jurecki, defensive backs coach Nick Rapone and outside linebackers coach James Bettcher are the two being considered, with Rapone being the favorite.

Rapone is the one guy on the staff who has coordinated an entire a defense, having been DC at Delaware before coming to the Cardinals to join Bruce Arians.

Something to ponder is what could happen with the new DC. If Rapone is promoted, will Bettcher stay? Will Rapone want to bring in a few of "his guys" onto the staff? These are probably things that have already been considered, and reports are already saying the Cardinals will lose Mike Caldwell and Ryan Slowik to the Jets, so there are expected to be other vacancies.

Again, a timeline on the decision does not seem to be imminent. We'll keep you posted here on the site, as always.