Arizona Cardinals sign Steve Keim, Bruce Arians to new contracts

The Arizona Cardinals rewarded their football leadership, as was expected this offseason. The team announced general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians were inked to new contracts.

The deal was announced as a four-year contract, keeping them signed through 2018.

AZCentral's Kent Somers reported the team holds a fifth-year option for both Arians and Keim, meaning the team retains control through 2019.

The salary numbers started trickling in, without anything perfectly clear. According to Ian Rapoport, Arians will be paid an average of $6 million per year over the life on the contract. which pays him more than any head coach who has not taken a team to the Super Bowl, except Chip Kelly.

Keim, also according to Rapoport, will now be in the top 10 highest paid general managers in the league.

Keim was promoted to general manager in 2013, replacing Rod Graves. He has been with the Cardinals for 16 years, beginning as a college scout. He has been recognized by Pro Football Talk as Executive of the Year each of the two seasons he has led the Cardinals.

Arians was hired in 2013 to replace Ken Whisenhunt.

Since the two took their positions, the team has gone 21-11 with a playoff berth, which came after a 5-11 season that led to their hiring.

"Two years ago we hired Steve and Bruce a few days apart and believed we had something really special," said Cardinals President Michael Bidwill. "Every day since then, they have done nothing but validate that belief. The team's performance over the last two seasons certainly reflects how talented they are in their respective roles and it was important that we reward them for their accomplishments. I speak not only for myself but all Cardinals fans when I say how thrilled we all are that Steve and Bruce are now under contract through 2018."

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