TEMPE, Ariz. – Larry Foote isn’t rushing at night to get into bed early these days.

The former linebacker is enjoying his time channel-surfing, catching up on the shows he didn’t have time to watch as a player. Life is good being the assistant linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals.

Almost too good.

Larry Foote hasn't gotten the itch to play so far this offseason and is enjoying a coaching role. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Foote, 34, isn’t thinking about the decision between playing or coaching next season, one he’ll eventually have to make. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians initially wanted a decision by time first cuts are made. Then he moved the deadline to before training camp. One reason Foote isn’t firm one way or the other is a knee injury that’s still not fully healed. After his four-week recovery is over, Foote will test it. But that might not even convince him to play.

“Right now, I’m just thinking about coaching,” Foote told ESPN. “I’m excited about that. If I get some type of sign one night when I’m sleeping … but I think B.A. is more leaning toward me just coaching. So, I’ll see.

“If I had to bet on it, I’m just coaching.”

Foote doesn’t know how long it would take him to get back into playing shape because he’s never been in a situation where he’s been out of playing shape. He said since he "always played the game mentally," that would help him return quickly. But he’s not yet at the point where he’s close to a decision.

“Right now I’m just excited about these young kids,” Foote said. “I’m getting used to this role. I like it. If you want to say, ‘Has that [playing] bug hit you? That itch? No, not really.

“So, I’m enjoying my role right now.”

Foote wakes up earlier than he did as a player to get work done, but otherwise he’s enjoying his newfound freedom. He’s been watching “everything” because he’s not in a rush to get to sleep.

It beats the alternative.

“Last year,” Foote said, “especially last May, it was so hot, I had to get my butt into bed just to hydrate and get ready for the next day.”

Not anymore.