A few days after the Cardinals’ season ended, Michael Bidwill was not happy.
The Arizona owner watched a once-promising season crumble, as the Cardinals were routed in the wild card round by the Rams after a 10-2 start to the year.
In a meeting on Jan. 19, Bidwill made clear his discontent to GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury, intimating that changes could happen.
“Shit hit the fan,” a source told Compare.bet the day after the meeting.
Not only did Bidwill calm down in the ensuing weeks, he did a complete about-face. Keim and Kingsbury were given extensions last week that were officially announced on Wednesday.
Can confirm GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury have been given contract extensions. Did not see that coming.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 2, 2022
Despite second-half collapses the past two years, Bidwill chose to focus on the positive trajectory. The Cardinals won three games in 2018, five in 2019, eight in 2020 and 11 a year ago.
“The leadership of both Steve and Kliff have been key factors in the team’s turnaround over the last three seasons,” Bidwill said in a statement. “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.”
While the general consensus was that Keim and Kingsbury would both be on the hot seat this season, Bidwill muted such speculation by extending them through 2027.
While the improvement has been notable, the Cardinals have not won a playoff game since 2015, failing to capitalize on the rookie-deal contract of star quarterback Kyler Murray.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ trip to the Super Bowl in Joe Burrow’s second year seemed to make it less likely that Keim and Kingsbury would be given the benefit of the doubt, but Bidwill had other plans.
Murray will only be underpriced for two more seasons, and the Cardinals do not have a healthy salary cap situation compared to their vast array of needs as the offseason gets underway.
The pressure seemed to be on Keim in a major way in 2022, to either build a roster capable of contending for a Super Bowl or be fired.
Instead, the longtime GM has instead received a giant security blanket, as Bidwill has committed financially to both Keim and Kingsbury for the foreseeable future.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill was upset about the end of the season, but changed his tune after some reflection, per source, leading to the extensions for Keim and Kingsbury.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 2, 2022
The Cardinals still have a major hurdle to jump this offseason as Murray pushes for a new deal, but it seems that Bidwill is happy with the GM-coach- quarterback triumvirate that is in place.
The extension could change Keim’s roster construction decisions over the next few months, as he can focus equally on both short- and long-term plans. That is a good thing, although Keim will still need to show a better proficiency at finding the right pieces in the draft and free agency.
The Cardinals’ lack of depth last season was painfully obvious when the offense went in the tank following a season-ending knee injury to star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
There is serious work to do, as the Cardinals could head into free agency with pressing needs at No. 1 cornerback, No. 1 edge rusher and No. 2 wide receiver. They also need to fill holes at defensive tackle, tight end, running back and guard.
This move by Bidwill surprised many, as he chose continuity instead of waiting to see how 2022 played out.
It’s an unquestionable boon for Keim and Kingsbury, but if the Cardinals underachieve this fall, there will be some major second-guessing of a decision that wasn’t screaming to be made.
