The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Monday, hours after the team finished a disappointing, injury-marred season at 4-13 and only 10 months after Kingsbury signed an extension through 2027.
Shortly after reports of Kingsbury’s dismissal surfaced, the team confirmed the news and added that general manager Steve Keim “decided to step away from his position in order to focus on his health.”
Keim became the team’s general manager in 2013 but was on an indefinite, health-related leave of absence since early in the season. He also signed a contract extension last offseason, and may take a different role with the team. Vice president of player personnel Quentin Harris and vice president of pro personnel Adrian Wilson are currently leading the team on an interim basis. The Cardinals currently own the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray led the Cardinals to one playoff appearance in their four seasons together. Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension before the season but tore his ACL in week 14 and will most likely miss a sizable chunk of next season.
He finished his tenure with the Cardinals with a 28-37-1 record, including seven straight losses to end this season. The team lost 38-13 to the San Francisco 49ers in their season finale. The team was blown out by the eventual Super Bowl winner Los Angeles Rams in their lone playoff appearance last season.
Kingsbury is likely to be pursued for any number of offensive coordinator jobs, but other reports indicate he could take an extended break from coaching.
