Arizona Cardinals promote Steve Keim to general manager

The Arizona Cardinals announced the promotion of Steve Keim from vice president of player personnel to general manager Tuesday.

Albert Breer of the NFL Network first reported the Cardinals and Keim were negotiating the move.

Keim, who interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager position, has been a Cardinals employee since 1999. The Cardinals credit Keim with having a role in the scouting and drafting of players such as Darnell Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Adrian Wilson.

He assumes the GM position left vacant by the firing of Rod Graves on Dec. 31.

One of Keim’s first priorities will be finding a new coach to replace the fired Ken Whisenhunt. The Cardinals reportedly have already interviewed Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. The Cardinals reportedly also will interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, and possibly Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Keim sees his first off-season as Cardinals GM as “a retool and not a rebuild.”

Arizona VP of player personnel Steve Keim has entered into negotiations to become the Cardinals' next GM. Also a finalist in Jacksonville.—
Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 08, 2013

Steve Keim named new @azcardinals GM; will be introduced at 3 PM press conference. Started as Cards area scout in '99.—
MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) January 08, 2013

Keim: with roster, "I truly believe this is a retool and not rebuild." Said he's not naïve to roster issues. Physicality on OL been problem—
Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) January 08, 2013