Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim looks towards the stands before Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic Syndication: Arizona Republic
GLENDALE – With the Arizona Cardinals franchise in amidst one of the worst seasons in the franchise’s history, a former general manager of the team is looking for an NFL return. Steve Keim was Arizona’s general manager from 2013 till 2022, where he had an 80-80-2 record, with three playoff appearances and a 1-3 postseason record.
Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!
Keim stepped down following the 2022 season, as Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill wanted to take the team in a new direction. That led to the hiring of new general manger Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon. The 53-year-old hasn’t worked since stepping down, but he appeared on the Straight Facts Homie podcast with Trey Wingo talking about him being ready for a return to the NFL.
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim (center) looks on before a game against the Rams on Dec. 23 at State Farm Stadium.
Cardinals Rams
Keim on possible NFL return:
With the franchise likely to make changes this offense following the 2025 season, Bidwill could look at Keim as a replacement for Ossenfort. Fans on social media appear against the idea and likely would be a backward step for the Cardinals, who are trying to make massive changes this offseason. Re-hiring Keim would be rehashing the past, which wasn’t much better as the present.
Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill and General Manager Steve Keim introduce new head coach Kliff Kingsbury during a news conference on Jan. 9, 2019, at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals New Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury
Keim has been a part of many of the biggest moments in the franchise’s recent history. The hiring of head coach Bruce Arians and Kliff Kingsbury. Drafting stars like Kyler Murray, Budda Baker and more, while pulling off some stellar trades and signings like DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt. However, all those individual moves wasn’t able to put out a winning team on the field in Arizona.
A decade at general manager produced only one playoff win and contempt of the team’s standings, which fans with higher expectations weren’t pleased. Keim is interested in an NFL return but likely still has sour grapes when it comes to his exit in Arizona and would want a system with the right infrastructure.
Cardinals place tackle Paris Johnson Jr. on injury reserve, ending 2025 season
Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
