Steve

Keim

Keim is stepping down following a meeting with owner Michael Bidwill. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury was also fired as part of that meeting. The Cardinals will start over in 2023 with a new general manager and head coach as they attempt to recover from their worst record in Kyler Murray’s four years as a starter. Having committed to Murray with a new contract in 2022, it would make sense for the Cardinal to prioritize an offensive-minded coach. They will have quite a few decisions to make in the coming months.

The health-related leave-of-absence to incidental firing has happened before, as the Texans used this playbook to get rid of Rick Smith. Keim’s rosters are far from unimpeachable and he deserves a lot of blame for the state of the franchise. However, Keim was owner Michael Bidwill’s main protege, so this is not set in stone yet. VPs Quentin Harris and Adrian Wilson are currently co-GMing the Cardinals and Jones’ sources believe both of them are expected to be in consideration for the full-time role the event Keim is not retained.

Rapoport added, “Keim’s duties are being handled on an interim basis by VP of Player Personnel Quentin Harris and VP of Pro Personnel Adrian Wilson.” Depending on the length of time he is away and the severity of Keim’s health issue, it wouldn’t be shocking for the Cardinals’ boss to step away from the team permanently. Between the news of Keim’s health concern and the on-field disaster that has been the Cardinals, this season could not have gone much worse for the Arizona franchise. The Cardinals are 4-9 and will play out the remainder of the season without Kyler Murray, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. Keim’s record as the team’s general manager currently sits at 80-76-2. It may ultimately end there depending on how this indefinite absence plays out.

Keim has served as the Cardinals general manager since 2013 after spending 14 seasons in the Cardinals front office. He is now under contract through 2027, after the Cardinals made their first playoff appearance since 2015. With his own contract taken care of, Keim will now need to turn his attention to his disgruntled fourth-year quarterback. Kyler Murray remains under his rookie contract in 2022 with a fifth-year option available for 2023. But the Cardinals franchise quarterback has made it clear that he’s looking for a contract extension. Murray tailed off to close 2021 but was outstanding to begin the season, before being slowed by an ankle injury. Keim also has decisions to make regarding Murray’s surrounding cast, with Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, Chase Edmonds, and James Conner all about to hit free agency.

Following their pick at No. 8 overall, the Cardinals currently don’t have another selection until No. 72 on Day 2 — No. 40 overall was sent to Houston in the deal for DeAndre Hopkins. That leaves GM Steve Keim with two primary options, one being to simply trade back and acquire more picks. This isn’t too shocking since it’s that time of the year where every front office exec is more than willing to move up or down for the right offer, but it does open the door for any team looking to jump the expected receiver run from picks 9-15. Assuming they stand pat, the Cardinals are expected to land either a franchise left tackle or stud interior pass-rusher on Day 1 of Thursday’s draft.

“You want to look at the long-term contracts you have in place, whether guys can play inside or outside,” Keim said. “If there is a player at the right spot, someone we are high on, we will certainly take advantage of that. Just because it seems on the surface we’re not as needy at wide receiver, that could change pretty quickly.” It’s highly unlikely the Cardinals lean wideout with the No. 8 overall pick — the organization’s only first-round selection this year — given their recent swap for DeAndre Hopkins, not to mention the capital used at that position in drafting Andy Isabella (No. 63 overall), Hakeem Butler (No. 103), and KeeSean Johnson (No. 174) just last year. Even so, Keim at the very least failed to squash those rumors. Arizona is still expected to land a premier left tackle or stud interior bull inside the top-10 of next week’s draft.

Their opponent and date have yet to be determined, but the list of candidates include the Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Bills, Redskins, and Eagles; the Lions, another home opponent for Arizona in 2020, have reportedly been eliminated while the Dolphins are scheduled to host a game in London. The Cardinals previously hosted the first regular-season NFL game played outside the United States in 2005, and more recently squared off against the Rams inside Wembley Stadium in 2017. The full NFL schedule will officially be announced sometime in mid-April.

The Cardinals plan to “reassess their entire football operation” this offseason. Keim and coach Steve Wilks are both on the hot seat in a disastrous year. Keim had a strong 2018 draft, getting Arizona two starters (Christian Kirk, Mason Cole) and a potential franchise quarterback, but his off-field issues could play a role in his future with the team.

The “extreme” designation means Keim was more than twice the legal limit of .08. He could be forced to spend a day in jail. League discipline should be handed down some time in the next few months.

The team decided to get out in front of the league with its punishment. Keim should face no further discipline. The suspension is apparently starting now, and Keim will be “barred from the Cardinals’ facilities and prohibited contact from the team.” It’s far from ideal timing for a general manager to be away from his club, but Keim will be back before the Cardinals have to cut down from 90 to 53 players.