The Arizona Cardinals do their homework before parting ways with head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Although Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is keeping the information highly confidential, it appears there is a strong possibility that he will part ways with head coach Kliff Kingsbury after the season.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network reported Sunday morning that “the Arizona Cardinals have been bracing themselves in recent weeks for a potential coaching search as they assess Kliff Kingsbury’s future, but it’s unclear whether these preparations will lead to change. »
Although Arizona has massively underperformed this season, Bidwill hasn’t had its sounding board available in general manager Steve Keim. He has taken indefinite leave for health reasons. Keim is not expected to return to the fold in 2023, although he signed an extension last offseason, alongside Kingsbury and their starting quarterback Kyler Murray.
Rapoport and Pelissero hinted that former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could be candidates to replace Kingsbury if he is indeed fired after the end of the season. regular.
The Arizona Cardinals could part ways with their head coach, Kliff Kingsbury.
Look. Arizona is one of two or three other NFL teams whose head coaching position could become vacant on Black Monday. In addition to the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, Arizona is among a group of teams along with the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams who could realistically or semi-realistically join this trio of players. underperforming teams.
By scouting out the potential pool of coaching candidates, Bidwill should be able to make an informed decision on what to do with Kingsbury. We can expect Bidwill to bring in Quentin Harris or Adrian Wilson internally to replace Keim. Arizona has made a point of promoting the insider for his general manager job since parting ways with Buddy Ryan.
To be honest, it’s hard to see Arizona making a big change at head coach until we have a better idea of what he’s up to as general manager. Once they have a better idea of the succession plan in this department, Bidwill will make a well-considered decision for the head coach. As far as Kingsbury’s departure goes, the Cardinals could be one of the best jobs to fill this cycle.
Arizona was a playoff team only a year ago. The Cardinals were the last team to lose a game in 2021. They have a talented but unpredictable quarterback in Murray. More importantly, they play in a division that seems to be in a state of change. Along with a top-five pick in 2023, you’d think the Cardinals could turn things around quickly if they decide to leave Kingsbury.
Ultimately, the fact that Bidwill has done his homework, in addition to meeting with Kingsbury on a daily basis, probably indicates that he is more likely than not to make a change in head coach. Talent wasn’t Arizona’s problem, but rather a lack of execution late in the game. For whatever reason, Kingsbury’s teams wither as the season progresses, whether at college or professional level.
Bidwill may not make a decision until Sunday, but he may have already made up his mind.
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