I’m returning to the Cardinals to see us win again, boast Bruce Arians.

I’ve walked a lot of football fields in my life, worn a lot of different hats—assistant, coordinator, head coach, even retired man trying to golf too much. But there’s something about Arizona. Something about the desert, the people, the organization, the fans… that stuck with me. So yeah, I’m back. I’m returning to the Cardinals. And I’m here to see us win again.

Winning—it’s what brought me here the first time. Not just to coach football, but to change something. When I first stepped into the Cardinals’ building in 2013, I wasn’t walking into a legacy of dominance. I was walking into a challenge. And if you know me, you know I never walk away from a challenge.

I still remember the look on people’s faces when I got hired. Some were excited, others skeptical. Arizona wasn’t exactly the NFL’s gold standard at the time. The team had some pieces, sure, but we weren’t on the national radar. That didn’t matter to me. I’d just come off a magical ride with the Colts, stepping in as interim head coach while Chuck Pagano fought cancer. We went 9–3. I got Coach of the Year. And I realized something: I was ready. Ready to lead my own team. Ready to build something real.

And Arizona gave me that shot.

The Rise Begins (2013–2015)

My first year, we went 10–6. Missed the playoffs by a game, but you could feel the tide turning. The culture was shifting. No more underdog mentality. I told the guys from day one: “No risk it, no biscuit.” That wasn’t just a catchy phrase—it was a mindset. Aggressive. Bold. Fearless. You play to win. And not just on Sundays. You win in the film room, in the weight room, in how you treat your teammates and coaches.

We brought in Carson Palmer—a veteran quarterback who still had fire in his gut. People said he was washed. I saw a competitor, a leader. We built around him. That defense, man—tough, fast, smart. Guys like Calais Campbell, Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson. Leaders. Dogs. We weren’t flashy off the field, but on the field? We made noise.

2014, we went 11–5. Made the playoffs. 2015? That was the magic year. 13–3. NFC Championship appearance. We were rolling. That locker room? It was electric. It was brotherhood. The bond between those players—that’s something you don’t see every day. We had swagger. We had grit. We were damn near unstoppable… until we ran into Carolina.

That NFC Championship loss still stings. Not because we lost—we’ve all lost games before—but because of how we lost. It wasn’t our day. And I’ll tell you what, in football, those days hurt. You work your whole life, entire seasons, for that shot. And when it slips away, it stays with you. That loss made me hungrier. And I thought, “We’ll be back.”

The Struggles, the Injuries, and Stepping Away

But the NFL is a rollercoaster. In 2016, the injuries started piling up. Carson went down, the O-line got banged up, and even with talent, we struggled. 7–8–1. Then 2017 hit. More injuries, more heartbreak. David Johnson—arguably the best back in the league—goes down in Week 1. Carson gets hurt again. I’ll be honest: that year tested me. Not just as a coach, but as a man.

After that season, I stepped down. Retired. I told the team in the locker room after our Week 17 win. There were tears. From me, from the players. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it felt right. I had health scares, and I wanted to spend more time with my wife, my grandkids, maybe relax a little.

But if you know football, you know it never really leaves you. You can step away, but it never steps away from you.

Watching from Afar—and Then Winning It All

I watched the Cardinals from afar. Watched the highs and lows, the rebuilding. Watched Kyler Murray come in, Kliff Kingsbury’s fresh offense, the growing pains, the playoff push, the drama. I always rooted for them. Once you’ve been in that locker room, built relationships with those players, coaches, trainers—it’s in your blood.

And yeah, I got back into coaching with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. I still had gas in the tank, and the opportunity was right. Then came 2020—the year we shocked the world. Tom Brady joins the Bucs. We go on a run, win the Super Bowl. That ring meant a lot. It was validation, sure. But more than that, it was legacy. It was proof that my coaching style—my philosophy—could work at the highest level.

After that, I stepped away again. Moved into a front office role, stayed close to the game. But something kept pulling at me. Arizona.

Why I’m Back

So why come back to the Cardinals now?

Because I see something. I see a team that’s been searching for identity, for leadership, for consistency. I see a city still hungry for a championship. I see a fan base that’s stuck with this team through every heartbreak and rebuild, waiting for someone to light the fire again.

I’m not here to relive the past—I’m here to build the future.

Maybe I’m not calling plays every Sunday, but I’m back in the building. Consultant, advisor, call it what you want. I’m in the room. I’m in the ear of the people who make decisions. I’m mentoring young coaches, giving input on the roster, watching film. And more than anything, I’m helping this franchise remember who the hell we are.

Because the Cardinals aren’t some bottom-of-the-barrel team. We’ve tasted greatness. We’ve built it. And we can do it again.

Belief in the Present—and the Future

I look at the current roster, and I see potential. Kyler Murray—say what you want, but the kid’s electric. He’s got talent you can’t teach. He needs guidance, structure, someone to believe in him. I’ve worked with quarterbacks my whole life—from Peyton Manning to Ben Roethlisberger to Tom Brady. Kyler has the tools. Now it’s about maturity, consistency, and leadership. I can help with that.

On defense, we’ve got playmakers. Budda Baker? That kid’s a warrior. Young talent, experienced vets—we’ve got a mix that, if coached right, can turn into something special. It’s about building the right culture. And culture starts at the top.

We’re putting the pieces together. It won’t happen overnight. But with the right leadership, the right mindset, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we’ll get there.

More Than Football

People sometimes ask why I keep coming back. Why I haven’t just ridden off into the sunset with my Super Bowl ring and my cigars. The answer’s simple: I love this game. But more than that, I love the people in it. I love helping players reach their potential. I love mentoring young coaches. I love the grind. The challenge. The feeling of building something that matters.

And with the Cardinals, there’s unfinished business.

I’ve never been one to settle. I’m competitive to the core. And I believe that this franchise can win it all. Not someday—soon. With the right moves, the right leadership, the right fire, we can compete with anyone. I’m here to be part of that. To remind this organization what winning looks like. What it feels like.

A Message to the Fans

To the fans: I hear you. I see your frustration. The past few seasons haven’t gone the way we wanted. But I’m telling you now, we’re on the way back. And I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe it with everything I’ve got.

I love this team. I love this city. And I love the grind of getting back to where we belong.

So yeah, I’m returning to the Cardinals.

And I’m here to see us win again.