Former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has been making the rounds with the media in advance of the draft. He has also said a few intriguing things. Perhaps the most intriguing event occurred on Tuesday, during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
Keim revealed last week that 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa stated prior to the 2019 draft that if the Cardinals select quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick, Bosa “will haunt you for the rest of your career.” When asked if he would still choose Murray over Bosa, Keim responded, “Well, Kyler gave me an extension. Nick Bosa would have likely led to my dismissal.”
Keim said it with a laugh, but when Dan Patrick pressed back, he became serious.
“Your quarterback is the player who can propel your team the quickest,” Keim explained. “He also did that. Could Nick Bosa have led us to 11 victories that season, two years ago?
Keim also stated that he would still offer Murray the extension that the Cardinals granted him last season. Given Murray’s torn ACL during the 2022 season and the inherent unpredictability of when he will recover, the apparent correct answer is no.
“Because I still believe in the young man, and because supply-and-demand dictates that you either have one or you don’t,” Keim explained. And regardless of whether they all have concerns and gaps, you must be able to — you’re either in or out.”
The Cardinals had entered. Now Keim has left. Numerous factors influenced the decision, but ultimately Murray wasn’t strong enough to prevent Keim from being fired.
In reality, the Cardinals believed Murray would not play for the fourth-year salary he was scheduled to earn in 2022. If they had waited, he would have played in 2023 under his fifth-year option, and they would have sorted everything out following the upcoming season.
Instead, Murray received over $100 million wholly guaranteed at signing and $160 million for injury. Given the intervening events, it was a fantastic deal for him.
Meanwhile, the 49ers found gold with Bosa, but have yet to offer him a second contract. And he has not dismissed any employees.