Arizona Cardinals defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles has reportedly signed a new deal with the franchise which will run through until 2017.

It is understood that the new contract does not preclude Bowles from pursuing a head coaching job in the next three years as it is widely speculated that he will be in high demand at the end of the season.

The extension makes him one of the highest-paid co-ordinators in the NFL and it allows him to be more selective about leaving Arizona, ESPN reports.

The Cardinals finished with the top-ranked defense in 2013, and Bowles has ensured that they have not wavered despite losing four key components of the defensive unit to injury this season.

Arizona are blitzing at a 41.1% mark this season, fifth highest in the NFL, and they became the league's top-ranked run defense in week eight.

Written by
Sumeet Paul