The widespread assumption -- one that hasn't changed for weeks -- is that the 38-year-old Warner will step away from the game.
Mike and Mike in the Morning
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter says Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner is going to retire and the Vikings should proceed like Brett Favre won't be back. Schefter predicts Jason Campbell will be the quarterback of the Vikings next year.
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One possible indication of Warner's intentions is that he already has begun gathering his family so they can attend Friday's news conference at the team's training facility, according to sources.
Warner's agent confirmed the news conference in Tempe on Wednesday evening.
Warner also has another added motivation for a quick decision: He has multiple promotional appearance commitments during Super Bowl week in Miami. Rather than answer retirement questions then, Warner would prefer to remove the focus from his future as quickly as possible so it's not an issue next week, according to a source.
Since the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs in a 45-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on divisional playoff weekend, Warner has spent his days huddling over his decision with family and his agent, Mark Bartelstein.
Warner has been voted to five Pro Bowls, won two NFL MVP awards and one Super Bowl and became the second quarterback in history to throw more than 100 touchdown passes for two NFL franchises.
In the wild-card round against the Green Bay Packers, Warner didn't play like someone at the end of his career. He threw for 379 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions during Arizona's 51-45 overtime victory.
But next week in the divisional round, during an interception return, Saints defensive end Bobby McCray leveled Warner with a hit that left the quarterback with a bruised chest.
Earlier this season, Warner suffered a concussion. It was at least his third concussion, and he later estimated it was quite possibly his fifth.
Warner also had the added memory of Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin taking a hit that left him with a broken jaw last season. Warner told ESPN's Rick Reilly earlier this month that he contemplated retiring after witnessing that hit.
"What happened to Q," Warner said, "was personal for me. You realize you're one hit from something that affects you long-, long-term."
Warner has a year remaining on a two-year, $23 million contract.
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