PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are closing in on a deal to make longtime linebackers coach Keith Butler the team's new defensive coordinator, according to a source.
The Steelers have not scheduled interviews with any outside candidates for their opening at defensive coordinator, a league source told ESPN.com, another strong indication that Butler will succeed Dick LeBeau in that position.
LeBeau resigned last Saturday after 11 consecutive seasons as the Steelers' defensive coordinator and 13 overall. Butler, the Steelers' linebackers coach since 2003, has turned down opportunities to interview for defensive coordinator positions in past years and he has already met with coach Mike Tomlin about the opening.
The one name to watch outside of Pittsburgh is Washington Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, given his experience as a head coach and defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and his close friendship with Tomlin.
Morris has interviewed for the New York Giants' opening at defensive coordinator and the Redskins are allowing him to pursue other jobs.
LeBeau, meanwhile, has talked with the Arizona Cardinals about joining their staff but he may be leery about going that far west with his family rooted in the Cincinnati area, a source close to LeBeau told ESPN.com.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported on Monday afternoon that the Cardinals, who are coached by former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, have reached out to LeBeau.
LeBeau, who was the Steelers' defensive coordinator all four seasons they played in the Super Bowl post-1970s, wants to continue coaching as long as he is physically able to do so.
The Cardinals would be a logical landing spot for LeBeau if distance isn't an issue as Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is interviewing for multiple head-coaching opportunities.
LeBeau, 77, is in excellent physical condition, his top prerequisite for continuing a coaching career that goes back to the early 1970s. But the source close to LeBeau said he won't jump at any job and that it has to be the right situation for him.