Report: Kliff Kingsbury extension an offseason priority for Cardinals

Of the items the Arizona Cardinals want to accomplish this offseason, signing head coach Kliff Kingsbury to an extension is reportedly way up the agenda.

Per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, “a long-term extension is a significant offseason priority for the Cardinals, and the coach’s leverage has clearly never been higher.”

Kingsbury, 42, could make the case that he should be compensated among the more experienced coaches in the NFL, turning around a franchise that was 3-13 and had fired Steve Wilks after just one season as head coach before he arrived and developing a franchise quarterback in the process.

After going 13-18-1 over his first two seasons at the helm, Kingsbury has helped lead his team to a 9-2 mark. Under Kingsbury, Arizona’s offense is ninth in the league in terms of passing yards per game (255.9) and 10th in rushing yards per game (123). The Cardinals have had little trouble putting points on the board, too, ranking fifth in points per game (28.2).

The Cardinals sport the best record in football and control their destiny with six matchups left on the docket.

La Canfora’s report comes after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that Kingsbury was a potential target for Oklahoma’s head-coaching vacancy.

Sunday morning, however, it was reported that Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables “has emerged as the top target” for Oklahoma and a deal could be done as early as Sunday.

The Cardinals take on the Bears at 11 a.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.

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