Arizona Cardinals announce contract extensions for Kliff Kingsbury, Steve Keim

After putting together a 11-6 season in 2021, which included their first playoff appearance since 2015, the Arizona Cardinals have given head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim contract extensions through the 2027 season, the organization announced Wednesday.

“The leadership of both Steve and Kliff have been key factors in the team’s turnaround over the last three seasons,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a press release. “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’ 2021 season included key wins over the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys – and a trip to the NFC Wild Card round, where they suffered a 34-11 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams.

Kingsbury – who’s been Arizona’s head coach since 2019 – is now 24-25-1 through three seasons leading the team, with the 2021 campaign being his best yet. He was earning a reported salary of roughly $5.5 million per year.

As for Keim, he has been the Cardinals’ general manager since 2013 after previously working in player personnel roles with the organization.

LOOK: Agent of Kyler Murray posts note for client, addressing future with Arizona Cardinals

There’s still drama in Arizona this week between the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray. The QB’s agent Erik Burkhardt shared a statement on his behalf, calling for action that shows the organization is aligned with Murray’s “objectives.”

“Kyler wants to be direct with loyal Arizona Cardinal fans and the great community of the valley in stating his two very important goals and objectives,” the statement begins. “He absolutely wants to be your long-term QB He desperately wants to win the super bowl.”

Burkhardt outlined everything the Cardinals have been through since the former Sooners star joined them. Arizona, as Burkhardt points out, is the only NFL team to improve by three or more wins in each of the last three seasons. Then he gets to the real meat of the issue.

“To overtly communicate Kyler’s desire to be the Cardinals long term QB, we sent a detailed contract proposal to the organization. It was important to Kyler that his proposal reflected all of the following: provides financial protection, is in line with the current QB market that compares his results alongside relevant comps, lowers his 2022-23 salary cap number to allow the cardinals to re-sign other deserving teammates and add additional free agents, and most importantly represents a real commitment from the organization to see if their ultimate goals align with his 2 above.”

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.