Keeping busy during the early stages of the offseason, the Arizona Cardinals just announced contract extensions for head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim through the 2018 season.
Though the financials have not been revealed, keeping Arians and Keim with Cardinals was an excellent choice for the organization. The team has posted two consecutive double-digit win seasons and is coming off an injury-riddled 2014 campaign that still saw it win 11 games and earn a playoff spot.
Speaking highly of his coach and general manager, the Cardinals’ president Michael Bidwill released this statement (via NFL.com).
Two years ago we hired Steve and Bruce a few days apart and believed we had something really special. Every day since then they have done nothing but validate that belief.
The team’s performance over the last two seasons certainly reflects how talented they are in their respective roles and it was important that we reward them for their accomplishments. I speak not only for myself but for all Cardinals fans when I say how thrilled we all are that Steve and Bruce are now under contract through 2018.
Both were hired just nine days apart back in 2013, and have helped the team win 21 games over the past two seasons. Additionally, Arians was recently named Associated Press Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.
Keim should be praised for successfully and quickly handling Larry Fitzgerald’s contract situation, which keeps him with the team for two more years. Not only that, the general manager has hit on some key prospects in his first two drafts with the team.
Great coaches and general managers are hard to come by, and it appears the Cardinals have a winning duo who should continue to help the franchise enjoy success on the field and potentially compete for a Super Bowl in the coming years.
Photo:Â USA Today