Cardinals' Bruce Arians, Steve Keim sign new contracts

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald wasn't the only important member of the Cardinals to agree to a new contract last week.

Coach Bruce Arians and General Manager Steve Keim did, too. Each signed a four-year deal, with fifth-year team options, technically keeping them under contract through the 2019 season.

Both were in Indianapolis on Monday and unavailable for comment. A news conference is planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Financial terms are unknown but coaches with credentials comparable to Arians' usually have made in the range of $5.5 million per season.

"Two years ago we hired Steve and Bruce a few days apart and believed we had something really special," Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said in a statement. "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."

Keim had two years remaining on his contract; Arians had three, including an option year for 2017. According to NFL sources, those contracts were in the lower 25 percent of the NFL.

For Arians, that meant somewhere between $3 million and $4 million.

Both men took their current jobs two years ago. In 2013, they turned over the roster and the team went 10-6. Last season, the Cardinals finished 11-5 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

The 21 wins ties the franchise record for consecutive seasons. The 11 wins in 2014 also tied a franchise record.

In 2013, Keim had to release older players no longer worth their salaries. He and Arians had to find a quarterback and other players to fit new schemes on offense and defense.

In 2014, the left tackle position had to be addressed, the suspension of linebacker Daryl Washington dealt with. And the team's depth at several positions, quarterback, was tested by injuries.

In January, team President Michael Bidwill said he planned to re-sign both Keim and Arians sometime after Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale.

It didn't take him long. Both deals were finalized last week at the NFL scouting combine.