The Arizona Cardinals are committing to Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim for the long haul.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Cardinals agreed to contract extensions with their head coach and general manager. The Cardinals later confirmed the news of the extensions, which will run 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,” Cardinals owner Michael 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.”
Kingsbury and Keim helped the Cardinals to their first playoff berth since the 2015 season, but questions clouded their future -- particularly Kingsbury's -- after Arizona saw a second-half slide that concluded with a blowout loss to the Rams during Super Wild Card Weekend.
The second-half collapse to end the season wasted a 7-0 start to the season that had quarterback Kyler Murray in the MVP conversation. But the end to the 2021 season didn't deter the Cardinals from re-upping Kingsbury and Keim.
Kingsbury took over a Cardinals team that went 3-13 in 2018. After selecting Murray No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft, Arizona has seen an increase in wins each season under Kingsbury (5-10-1 in 2019, 8-8 in 2020, 11-6 in 2021). All that remains for the duo is playoff success, and a resolution to the current contract spat with Murray.
Murray's agent -- who is also Kingsbury's -- released a statement Monday outlining Murray's desire for a long-term contract.