Cardinals extend Keim, Kingsbury through 2027

In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL landscape, the Arizona Cardinals have officially announced contract extensions with GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury. The deals, which have been confirmed by numerous league insiders, are said to be six years in length running through the 2027 season.

“The leadership of both Steve and Kliff have been key factors in the team’s turnaround over the last three seasons,” Team President and owner Michael Bidwill said in an official statement via the team’s twitter account. “We are all looking forward to continuing that progress and recognize these two individuals will be a big part of achieving our long-term goals as an organization.”

The Cardinals are coming off their second best regular season in franchise history in terms of win (11) but finished the year losing five of their final six games including a noncompetitive playoff outing against the eventual Super Bowl champion LA Rams. Following this, extensions for both Keim and Kingsbury seemed farfetched especially when you consider the internal pressure mounting from a supposed disgruntled Bidwill. Alas, the 57-year-old chairman opted instead to take a measured approach rather than reacting on emotion following the team’s collapse.

There was a tense meeting involving Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury yesterday, per source. Bidwill was unhappy with late-season slide and intimated changes were possible.

"Shit hit the fan," source said.

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) January 20, 2022

The fact remains that Keim, in nine seasons as the team’s general manager, has orchestrated the winningest period in franchise history. That era of success only boasts three losing seasons for an organization that was once synonymous with losing. While his drafts have left much to be desired, Keim has choreographed some of the most impactful trades in Cardinal history. From DeAndre Hopkins, to Chandler Jones and Carson Palmer, Keim has largely kept the Cardinals relevant and winning through big swings and star players.

As for Kingsbury, the much-maligned head coach of the Redbirds has seen a steady improvement in wins during his three years with the team. Most importantly, Kingsbury managed to go 4-2 in the NFC West last season, winning two of those outings on the road without Kyler Murray. Speaking of Murray, Kingsbury also represents one of the better options in keeping the 24-year-old appeased with the franchise. The two have a long documented history, with Kingsbury himself lobbying for Murray well before he ever became an Arizona Cardinal.

It bears repeating that Kyler Murray would likely not have been drafted by the Cardinals if it weren’t for the hiring and eventual encouragement of one Kliff Kingsbury. His additional years of experience along with his growing clout within the organization should also allow Kingsbury the opportunity to challenge Murray more so than before.

Kingsbury also has a chance, should he secure four more years on the job, to become the longest tenured coach in Cardinal football history. Combine that with a mere 27 more wins and the former Texas-Tech alum would also lay claim to the most victories ever by a Cardinal head coach. Those statistics, as marginal as they may appear, matter for Bidwill. After watching his late father Bill run through regime after regime, Michael has opted for something that has rarely been associated with the Cardinals.

Stability.

With contracts now secure, the Cardinals can present a unified front to free agents and potential coaching upgrades alike. No one wants to board a sinking ship, which would have been the message sent league-wide if Keim and Kingsbury had entered the offseason without affirmation from ownership. Now both can attack free agency as well as the NFL Draft head on without the fear of being one-and-done.

If the Arizona Cardinals were privately worried about perception as it relates to the stability of their franchise, this move clearly shows what the team is prioritizing.

They are keeping the band together and one would assume Kyler Murray is up next.

— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) March 2, 2022

The club can also hedge their bet on a potential erosion in Seattle with Russell Wilson potentially on his way out. Combine that with the uncertainty surrounding Trey Lance in San Francisco and a Super Bowl hangover in LA, and perhaps Bidwill is carefully biding his time with these extensions.

The Cardinals could very well be waiting in the wings in an attempt to play the long game in the NFC West.

As for Murray, this is likely good news for the Pro Bowl signal caller. Kingsbury and Murray share the same agent in Erik Burkhardt, who almost certainly tipped off the latter of the incoming extension for his head coach. Perhaps it was this that has set the young quarterback on a path that will not end without securing a new deal of his own. Alas, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which both Keim and Kingsbury return with new money and Kyler Murray is left out to dry.

My best guess is that, at some point in the coming weeks, Bidwill will once again open his checkbook in an attempt to secure what he believes is the final piece of a Super Bowl puzzle.

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