The Arizona Cardinals find a successor for Steve Keim. Franchise owner Michael Bidwell nabs a Tennessee Titans staffer for the general manager job. And there are some, immediate building sites for the new GM.

The Arizona Cardinals are in a state of flux. After franchise owner Michael Bidwell announced that general manager Steve Keim could not continue in the post due to health reasons, the search for a replacement began.

A few days and several interviews with possible candidates later, Bidwell promptly chose Monti Ossenfort. The 44-year-old was interviewed on Friday and already had the job commitment on Monday. This shows how convinced Bidwell is of Ossenfort.

Monti Ossenfort – the new powerhouse with the Arizona Cardinals

Ossenfort comes from the Tennessee Titans, where he was hired as “director of player personnel”. Before his three-year tenure in Nashville, he worked his way through all areas of responsibility in 15 years with the New England Patriots and therefore brings a lot of experience to the challenging task with the Cardinals, which he will probably also need.

Not only Steve Keim has to be replaced, but also coach Kliff Kingsbury was fired after a disappointing season, as he only managed a record of 4-13 in the regular season with the Cards. So Ossenfort has to make the first important decision sooner rather than later: who should coach the team?

There is also tension and unrest within the team. With J.J. Watt, an important performer is ending his career, he will also be missing in the dressing room as a spokesman. Quarterback Kyler Murray, on the other hand, does not seem to be popular with the entire team. The top earner has to deal with criticism more frequently.

The Arizona Cardinals’ construction sites

So there are already rumours about his best kick-off station: DeAndre Hopkins. The wide receiver is probably flirting with a switch, as he was hoping for more from his Cardinals time and often clashes with Murray. Whether Murray will even be fit for the start of the coming NFL season is also questionable after his cruciate ligament injury.

So a lot of work and pressure for Ossenfort, who is being used as general manager for the first time. And that from day one.