GM Keim not as certain as Kingsbury that Cardinals trade before deadline

Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is not making the final decision on such things, but he can shape the narrative. Asked on Friday if the Cardinals would be active in the final four days before the Tuesday NFL trade deadline, he suggested to keep an eye on Arizona.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Kingsbury told reporters ahead of a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings. “There’s a lot of really good players out there. I bet there’s a ton more movement over the next few days and so I wouldn’t be surprised if we got in on something.”

The deadline should be busy because of parity in the NFL.

There are only two one-loss teams and one undefeated team in the league. And only one division out of eight has a first-place squad more than a game separated from second place. Minnesota is 5-1 to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears at 3-4 in the NFC North.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, the man who will sign off on any move, isn’t as certain as Kingsbury that his team will make a trade.

“I think that’s just like a coach manifesting and trying to maybe let the powers speak to me to go do something for him,” Keim told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Friday.

“I’m joking … I think it’s just Kliff knows whether it’s (owner Michael Bidwill) or myself, we have the mindset (that) any chance to improve the team, we’re willing to take a shot.”

Keim did point to depth on the defensive side and offensive line as places he could seek reinforcements.

There was a caveat to that, however.

“I honestly think a number of places defensively (could use help): edge rusher, corner depth, interior defensive linemen. And then you look at the offensive line, as banged up as we are, if there were opportunities to improve,” the GM said.

“The thing I would say is a lot of those guys have really picked up their game as I mentioned, (center) Billy Price and (guard) Will Hernandez,” Keim added. “And then defensively, two of those young kids, (outside linebackers) Cam Thomas and Myjai Sanders, I think are really coming on, and they’re going to have way more opportunities moving forward, and I think they’ve earned it.”

Follow @kzimmermanaz