The Cardinals are banking on Kliff Kingsbury to replace Bruce Arians as head coach, but have Kyler Murray’s long-term future been put at risk?
The Cardinals just extended Kliff Kingsbury and alienated Kyler Murray. This is a huge move for the team, but it also means that they will have to find a new head coach. Read more in detail here: kliff kingsbury.
The Arizona Cardinals have received a lot of attention in recent weeks. Since their early departure from the 2021 NFL playoffs, Arizona has been immersed in controversy, whether it’s Kyler Murray openly seeking a contract extension or doubts surrounding head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s job security.
However, it looks like we’re getting some much-needed clarification on the Cardinals’ approach, according to the newest news out of Arizona. Clarity that might irritate Murray, who is already displeased.
The Cardinals have recently signed GM Steve Keim and HC Kliff Kingsbury to new contracts.
Sources: #AZCardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury and GM Steve Keim have both agreed to terms on new contract extensions following a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2022
Over the last three weeks, all eyes have been on Murray and his contract situation. Two mainstays of the Cardinals’ leadership, though, received new contracts. Arizona has recently extended general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, according to NFL source Ian Rapoport.
This is a startling revelation for anybody who has followed the Cardinals for the previous two years. While Keim and Kingsbury led Arizona to the playoffs in 2021 (for the first time since 2015), the team’s late-season performance has been underwhelming in back-to-back seasons. After beginning the year 7-0, they choked away the No. 1 seed in 2021 and went on a horrible run in 2020, which lost them a playoff berth.
After the Cardinals were thrashed by the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card stage of the playoffs last season, many expected a change in Arizona. Instead, the Cardinals’ woes are being rewarded with big contract extensions for two key players.
What does this imply for Kyler Murray, the quarterback?
If I were Kyler Murray, I’d ask for a trade. Today.
— Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) March 2, 2022
What does this imply for Kyler Murray, is the question on everyone’s lips right now. The Cardinals’ No. 1 overall selection in 2019 was seeking his own deal less than 24 hours ago, and he’s now on the outside looking in when it comes to the team’s future.
Murray and Kingsbury do, however, share an agent, which may help his chances of obtaining a lucrative deal. However, it seemed unthinkable just a week ago that Arizona would commit to all three of its future general managers, head coaches, and quarterbacks. We’re now meant to assume that everything is OK. We’re expected to think that all three parties are thrilled to collaborate for the next five years.
That doesn’t seem probable.
It would be unwise for the Cardinals to bind themselves to Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury, and Steve Reim.
Kyler Murray speaks with Kliff Kingsbury, his head coach | Harry How/Getty Images
Making the playoffs in 2021 was a step in the right direction for Arizona. However, the unpleasant fact is that the Murray, Kingsbury, and Reim triumvirate isn’t performing as expected.
Two of their division competitors have gone to the Super Bowl since this trio formed in 2019. (one of them even won it). The Cardinals had gone to the playoffs before, and Murray was so ashamed that he asked to be pulled out at the conclusion of the game.
This isn’t a group that deserves another five years to straighten things out, no matter how you slice it.
So, what exactly does it imply? Is this to say that Murray is the odd man out, given that Reim and Kingsbury have already had their contracts extended? Or are the Cardinals genuinely prepared to spend more than $40 million each season to keep Murray?
Murray might also be so angry with getting paid last that he uses a formal trade request to get out of Arizona.
In any case, it’s difficult to see these policies paying off for Arizona in the long run. They have a mediocre general manager, a mediocre head coach, and a dissatisfied quarterback who has yet to win a postseason game. Best wishes.
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