ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Michael Bidwill reportedly mulling in-house options

Jan 7, 2023, 4:57 PM | Updated: Jan 9, 2023, 8:37 am
Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals before the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals before the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Buccaneers defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals’ dubious 2022 season ends on Sunday, and it is decision time for owner Michael Bidwill on the direction of his team.

After signing head coach Kliff Kingsbury, general manager Steve Keim and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to contract extensions last offseason, Bidwill faces the choice of building around quarterback Kyler Murray with a different leadership group.

Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport report that in-house options could be Bidwill’s solution, both if Kingsbury leaves and if Keim does not return from a health-related leave.

According to Breer:

Things remain in flux in Arizona. GM Steve Keim remains on a health-related leave and his future with the team is up in the air (I wouldn’t rule out him sticking in some capacity after his leave), and word is that owner Michael Bidwill is strongly considering promoting VP of player personnel Quentin Harris and VP of pro scouting Adrian Wilson into GM roles in a co-GM type of setup (those two are filling in for Keim on an interim basis now). As for Kingsbury, everything appears to be on the table—a firing, a negotiated exit or a fifth season in the desert. If Kingsbury’s gone, I’d expect Joseph to be a lead candidate, if not the lead candidate to replace him.

Rapoport added Sunday that Bidwill has not informed Kingsbury of any decisions, as the coach mentioned this week.

But the owner has done “information gathering” to determine if he’ll make any sweeping changes.

Per Rapoport:

Among the potential candidates if there’s a change: former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who a source says has done homework on the Arizona job in case it comes open but wouldn’t come cheap; and Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, the former Broncos head coach who is highly respected in the building.

Joseph went 11-21 as Denver Broncos head coach in 2017-18 before joining Kingsbury’s staff.

NBC’s Mike Florio further adds that the Saints, who have reportedly been in talks with the Denver Broncos about draft compensation for that team to add Payton, expect the Cardinals could be interested in the former coach as well.

Harris and Wilson could be candidates to replace Keim currently, Rapoport adds.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
2 days ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
2 days ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
3 days ago
Cardinals’ Michael Bidwill reportedly mulling in-house options