Cardinals analyst Ron Wolfley weighs in on future for Kingsbury, Keim
Dec 19, 2022, 8:00 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2022, 7:04 am
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, left, and general manager Steve Keim talk to the media at the team's training facility on Jan. 9, 2019, in Tempe, Arizona. (File Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(File Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Arizona Cardinals radio analyst and host Ron Wolfley said Monday he thinks the team will make a change at general manager — but not at head coach.
Wolfley said one of the reasons coach Kliff Kingsbury was hired in 2019 was so he could work with quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals drafted Murray No. 1 overall a few months after hiring Kingsbury, whose only previous coaching experience was at the college level.
Murray is out for at least the rest of this season with a knee injury he suffered earlier this month.
“I think they have a pretty good working relationship and I think because of that, Kliff Kingsbury ultimately is going to be given the opportunity to fix Kyler Murray going forward,” Wolfley told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show a day after the Cardinals fell to 4-10 with a 24-15 road loss to the Denver Broncos.
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Wolfley is less optimistic about Keim’s status. The Cardinals’ GM since 2013 is currently on an indefinite leave of absence for unspecified health reasons.
“Steve Keim is a friend of mine. I wish him well, I am praying for him,” Wolfley said.
“Yet, at the same time, he took a leave of absence because of health issues and I don’t know if we’re going to see Steve Keim back for the Arizona Cardinals.”
The Cardinals were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday after their fourth consecutive loss in what has been a disappointing season. With three weeks left in the regular season, only two NFL teams have fewer wins than the Cardinals.
Kingsbury and Keim both received contract extensions through 2027 coming off last season’s trip to the playoffs. Murray also received a new deal in the offseason, making him one of the league’s best-paid players.
Wolfley said that while he expects Kingsbury to be back, it’s not a lock — especially if ownership brings in a general manager from outside the organization or a big-name coach is available, like former New Orleans Saints leader Sean Payton.
“Sean Payton of course has been rumored to be tied with the Arizona Cardinals. So, if that happens, all bets are off,” Wolfley said.
“But I really don’t see a seismic shift happening.”
