The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kurt Warner, 38, scheduled a news conference for today amid widespread speculation that he will announce his retirement from football. The news conference first was announced Wednesday by Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, and was confirmed, with details, in a Cardinals news release Thursday.

Neither the Cardinals nor Bartelstein would say what Warner has decided, but such elaborate plans were unlikely if Warner was to announce he was returning.

Warner, a former league and Super Bowl MVP, has one year and $11.5 million left on the two-year contract he signed after the 2008 season. The total includes $7.5 million in a deferred signing bonus.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez might have surgery this offseason to stabilize the patella ligament in his left knee, which was injured in college. General manager Mike Tannenbaum said Sanchez would be ready "well before training camp" if he elects to have the procedure, which isn't consider major, but could miss early offseason workouts. Sanchez's kneecap was dislocated in his junior season at Southern California.

Coach Josh McDaniels promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator, replacing Mike Nolan, who left for a similar job with the Dolphins.

Kansas City won't bring back defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast or two other assistant coaches next season. Tight ends coach Bob Bicknell and wide receivers coach Dedric Ward also won't be retained. Former Browns coach Romeo Crennel recently was named defensive coordinator.

49ers quarterback Alex Smith will serve as a guest studio analyst for the BBC Feb. 7 for the Super Bowl. He also plans to discuss his team's Oct. 31 game against the Broncos at Wembley Stadium in London.

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