It’s been four years since Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he and quarterback Carson Palmer were “going out to the desert, off in the sunset together,” and excerpts from Arians’ newly released book, “The Quarterback Whisperer,” give the impression that the old gunslingers are about to disappear into the horizon.

Back then, Arians said, “It’s an old cowboy movie.” Today, the only remaining question is how it ends.

Arians’ book details his approach to running a team and his relationships with players from Peyton Manning to Ben Roethlisberger — but most tellingly he reveals a recent battle with cancer. An ultrasound revealed renal cell carcinoma on his kidney.

Arians found out in December. He had surgery in February.

“Now I feel great. My energy has returned. I’m told I’m cancer-free again,” he writes. “I’m ready for at least one more season of NFL football — maybe more.”

That reads like an acknowledgment that it’s now or never for this group.

End of the trail

Arians is 64. Aside from the cancer, he’s been hospitalized recently for colon inflammation and chest pains. Can you imagine a scenario that keeps him in charge beyond next season? I can’t. And the more time I spend thinking about it, the less likely it is that I think he returns.

At this point, we can’t know for sure. Arians wasn’t available for comment Wednesday, and the Cardinals declined to speculate on the coach’s future.

But the NFL is too grueling, too competitive for anyone in declining health to suffer through another sub-.500 season like last year.

On the other side, if the Cardinals win the division and make a playoff run, it could position Arians to ride off into glory as the best coach in franchise history. If he leads the team to a Super Bowl title, he might be tempted to call it quits before passing off the Lombardi Trophy.

Inspiration and higher calling

Aside from urgency, Arians seems to have found a source of inspiration and even a higher calling.

“I now realize more than ever nothing is guaranteed in life,” he writes. It comes after noting that he lost both his brother-in-law and his longtime agent to cancer around the time of his own diagnosis.

“Every day needs to be enjoyed and celebrated to the fullest. Roses need to be smelled, sunsets savored, time with family cherished.”

He also writes, “I’m not coaching for myself in 2017. I’m coaching for everyone who’s dealing with cancer.”

None of this sounds like something a hungry, young rustler would say, but it’s perfect for one last stand.

Arians seems to have discovered balance and purpose. There’s a whole genre of self-help and pop psychology books based around these concepts. If any of it is to be believed — and, hey, why not? — this can build mental toughness. 

Football is a sport built on emotion. The season is short, but it lasts all year. Players need motivation wherever they can find it. Even from moment to moment.

Resilience at the top

That’s already showed up on the field, with players talking about having fun and showing life and energy during otherwise mundane summer practices and organized team activities.

Palmer even spoke about that in a news release that came out with the book.

“We’re a resilient group,” he said. “I think that trickles down from the head coach.”

He went on to say “really good teams, and hopefully great teams, take on their coach’s mentality.”

In keeping with the Old West theme, Arians displayed “True Grit” in getting through last season without complaints or excuses.

Adding that mindset to this group — stocked with players who remember being a game from the Super Bowl 17 months ago, and flirting last year with a playoff run despite a 1-4 start — could provide the sort of intangible that makes all the difference in football.

But the urgency Arians has created with his book has created an energy that can do as much harm as good: It can fuel championship aspirations, but it can also warm a hot seat.

If the team gets off to another slow start, how long before folks such as myself start calling for Arians to step aside? Or for him to sit Palmer and play Drew Stanton? To think about the future for the sake of the fans?

The ride into the sunset could quickly turn into a run for the hills.

And if Arians does move on after next season, what are the chances Palmer sticks around for a regime change? He forced his way out of Cincinnati. It was clear he wanted out of Oakland. And he took about a month before deciding to return for this season.

None of these details lead me to think the 37-year-old Palmer wants to play into his 40s.

Training camp is less than two weeks away. Let’s appreciate this as probably the last time we get to see Arians and Palmer together in the saddles.  

Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him on twitter.com/writingmoore.

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