Cardinals bring back Jesse Luketa.
During Jesse Luketa’s season, he had to share a ride with supporters to a home game due to car issues, making it one of the most memorable anecdotes.
But the second-year linebacker proved his usefulness as a special teamer, sometimes on defense and sometimes as a fullback, so it made sense to bring him back, which the Cardinals did on Wednesday, signing Luketa to a one-year contract before he became an exclusive rights free agent.
The Cardinals made the similar move with offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who was also set to be an ERFA.
Luketa was drafted in 2022 and initially signed a four-year contract, but after being released and re-signed last season, his current contract was scheduled to expire. This season, he made 14 games and had 10 tackles, including one for loss.
O’Donnell started three games at left guard and made five appearances as the Cardinals coped with offensive line ailments.
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Cardinals fire head coach Kliff Kingsbury after a 4-13 season; GM Steve Keim steps down.
The Arizona Cardinals are revamping their operations eleven months after receiving contract extensions with head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Kingsbury was sacked on Monday after four seasons with the Cardinals. The team later confirmed the decision.
Keim, who took an indefinite medical leave last month, has also decided to stand down from his post to focus on his health, the club revealed.
“We have announced that head coach Kliff Kingsbury has been relieved of his duties,” the team wrote in a statement. “In addition, general manager Steve Keim has decided to leave his post to focus on his health. The staff wishes them both well and appreciates their contributions.
Kingsbury went 28-37-1 in four seasons in the desert, finishing 4-13 in 2022. In March, Kingsbury signed a contract extension through 2027, but owner Michael Bidwill decided to change things.
With Keim at the helm for ten seasons, the Cards finished 80-80-2 with three playoff visits, finishing 1-3.
Arizona’s 2021 season began with a 7-0 record, thanks to Kyler Murray’s outstanding performance. However, everything has gone downhill since then. In Kingsbury’s third season, the Cardinals backed their way into the postseason, only to be hammered by the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams.
Arizona improved by three wins per season under Kingsbury, rising from 5-10-1 in 2019 to 8-8 in 2020 and 11-6 in 2021. However, the bottom fell out this season.
The offense struggled during a turbulent season, with DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension and injuries such as Murray’s ACL tear. Arizona averaged 20.0 points and 323.5 yards per game in 2022, both of which were lows under Kingsbury.
“I’ve been around this organization my entire life, and I don’t know any coach that has worked harder than Kliff Kingsbury,” Bidwill said at a news conference on Monday. “He has put in countless hours and we had a good, long conversation today, in which I told him I am really sorry because this is a tough decision, but it was a decision that needed to be made, and I wish it could’ve worked out better for him because in terms of putting in the effort, there’s a guy that really deserved to have the outcome we were all expecting a year ago or so.”
The Cardinals’ squad was a mix of big stars that lacked depth and consistency. Some of Keim’s early
With a new head coach and general manager, the Cardinals will hope to breathe new life into their organization.
Bidwill announced Monday that his search for a general manager and head coach has already begun, and the organization will “cast the net far and wide, doing it differently than we have in the past.” Bidwill noted that “there’s an incredible sense of urgency” in his search, which will include internal and external candidates as well as team leaders’ advice, including Murray. Bidwill stated that he had already interviewed Cardinals vice president of pro personnel Adrian Wilson and Cardinals VP of player personnel Quentin Harris for the general manager role.
Rapoport reported on Monday that Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will receive a long look for the vacant HC job.
In 2023, the desert may seem very different than it does now, and not just because of the brass. Murray’s injury makes it doubtful whether he will be ready for the start of the season. Defensive end J.J. Watt has announced his retirement. Zach Allen, an edge rusher, is set to reach the open market. Starting offensive lineman Rodney Hudson, Justin Pugh, and Kelvin Beachum are all free agents.
The Cardinals have missed the playoffs six of the last seven years and have not won the NFC West since 2015.
