In the first five days after the loss to the Steelers, the Cardinals lost offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who took the head coaching job with the Chiefs, fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, heard Anquan Boldin say he's still not interested in re-signing with the team and quarterback Kurt Warner say his future could be tied to Boldin's return.

After playing just five snaps in Sunday's Pro Bowl, Warner said he'll take time to rest and consider his future. Boldin has said he still has no intention of signing another contract with the Cardinals because he claims the team didn't follow through on a promise to re-work his deal last offseason.

"If Anquan (Boldin) tells me he's coming back, that will make my decision easier," Warner said.

The decision to fire Pendergast came as a surprise. Pendergast is known for his aggressive and sometimes exotic schemes, and his unit's performance during the playoffs was a major factor in the team's run to Tampa.

"Like every decision, it comes down to what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win," coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team.

"From a timing standpoint, we wanted to be fair to Clancy and give him a chance to seek the best possible opportunity in which to continue his career. In terms of filling the position, we have some people in mind both internally and externally and will begin that process immediately."

The defense ranked 19th in the NFL during the regular season.

General Manager Rod Graves tried to put the team's upcoming offseason issues out of his mind in January as the club marched through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl.

But he knew what was coming. The issues confronting the Cardinals in 2009 would be both real and "immediate," despite the success of 2008.

The first priority is to address core players whose contracts are up. That includes Warner and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, the club's franchise player in 2008.

It would be a mistake to just assume that Warner is going to give the Cardinals a large discount because of his fondness for the team's offense and the area's weather. Warner knows what elite starting quarterbacks are worth - around $12 million to $14 million a year - so the Cardinals won't be able to re-sign him on the cheap.

Warner hasn't committed to playing in 2009 and beyond, however. He said he will take a few weeks to consider his options and to pray for guidance. The Cardinals want him back and they expect Warner to want to return.

Last summer, he said he would like to play two more seasons, and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, has said he expects Warner to return.

Dansby will be more difficult. He would like a deal worth more than Calvin Pace signed last year with the Jets. Pace signed a six-year deal that includes around $20 million in guarantees.

The Cardinals have balked at that number and could well use the franchise tag again on Dansby.