Steve Keim Signs Contract Extension with Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill is working to get the team's leadership structure solidified for the foreseeable future. That includes a new contract for general manager Steve Keim, which was announced Monday.

Continue for updates.

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Cardinals Sign Keim to Contract Extension Through 2018

Monday, Feb. 23

NFL Network's Albert Breer reported on Monday that both Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have signed contract extensions with the organization. Cardinals vice president of media relations Mark Dalton provided comments from Bidwill:

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Bidwill Hoping To Finish Deal Soon

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk passed along the update from Bidwill, which came during an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM:

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Not only did he say this morning that extensions for coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim should be finished "in the next few weeks," but he also started the subtle process of squeezing veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald into a pay cut.

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Marc Sessler of NFL.com added more from Bidwill:

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"I think it's the right thing to do, and I want to reward people that have had success and brought success to the team," Bidwill told KMVP-FM in Arizona. "I can't think of two people more deserving -- coach of the year, two times in three years, executive of the year.

"They've both done tremendous jobs, brought tremendous leadership and success to the organization and I want to be in the habit of rewarding people that bring that kind of success."

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The stance sticks with a theme he's discussed since the Cardinals' playoff run ended in the wild-card round with a loss to the Carolina Panthers. He told Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic there were plans in place for Keim and head coach Bruce Arians.

"Yes, it's on my radar," Bidwill said. "I intend to get that done this off-season. We've got a bright future, and I'm excited about a third off-season with Steve and Bruce."

Keim has been with the Arizona organization since 1999. He worked his way up the ladder from scout into the front office before becoming general manager in 2013.

The Cardinals had a 18-30 cumulative record in the three seasons before he took control of the roster. They have gone 21-11 in two years with him in charge. The credit gets spread around, of course, but he's certainly played a role in the improvement.

Arizona appears ready to reward him for that success in the near future.