Arizona Cardinals general manager should stay the course

Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim would be wise to finish what he started and build around quarterback Josh Rosen.

Just over a year ago, things were looking bleak for the Arizona Cardinals. Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, it appeared as if the organization would have little chance of landing a blue-chip quarterback with the 15th-overall pick. There were four quality passers, all of whom were expected to be gone by the time the club’s selection rolled around.

When all hope appeared to be lost, the Cardinals’ Steve Keim saved the day. The general manager bamboozled the Oakland Raiders, orchestrating a trade that allowed them to move up in the first round and nab UCLA’s Josh Rosen. Keim gave up very little in the deal and earned league-wide praise for his efforts.

Now, just 11-months later, rumors are circulating that Arizona may be willing to send their talented passer away. There are countless reports that new Cards head coach Kliff Kingsbury would love to acquire Oklahoma signal-caller Kyler Murray with the first-overall pick. Apparently, many believe that the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner is a perfect fit for the “Air Raid” offense that the Cardinals will soon be implementing.

If any of the talk about Murray coming to the desert is true, then Keim may be on the verge of making a monumental mistake. Rosen did nothing last year to make anyone think that he can’t succeed as a pro. Especially considering the fact that he was working with horrendous coaches, a banged-up offensive line and a subpar set of pass-catchers during his rookie campaign.

Trading Rosen would be a bad business decision for Arizona’s front office as well. Ridding themselves of the confident gunslinger would leave over $14 million of dead salary cap money, per Over The Cap. That cash could be used to strengthen other areas of a Cardinals roster that could use all of the help it can get right now.

The smart move for Keim is to finish what he has started. Thanks to some crafty maneuvering during last year’s draft, quarterback is no longer a position of need. The Cards already have a franchise player at the spot with Rosen, the next step is to build around him.