Odegard: Michael Bidwill Can Mend Tattered Reputation With Pursuit of Sean Payton

Not that long ago, Michael Bidwill was seen as the key ingredient in the Arizona Cardinals’ longstanding search for perennial competitiveness.

But hits to the owner’s reputation have come often in 2022, leaving fans to wonder if this new iteration is destined to follow the path of the same ol’ Cardinals.

Bidwill’s first gaffe this year was the ill-advised choice to extend coach Kliff Kingsbury and GM Steve Keim in March, a needless decision based on a simplistic look at the team’s trajectory.

Then came the stunning lack of activity in free agency, when he didn’t open up the wallet to lure stars on the open market.

Next was the stubborn choice to put a study clause in quarterback Kyler Murray’s extension, a strange call if done in private and an unmitigated disaster when it became public.

Most recently, we learned that Bidwill watches film with Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, an overreach for someone who was born into ownership and doesn’t have the merit to be involved on a daily basis.

Kliff Kingsbury said he and D.C. Vance Joseph watch film with owner Michael Bidwill every week to explain what the team is doing and where it's falling short.

I asked how typical that is and Kingsbury said: "I'm not sure how that goes other places."

— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) November 9, 2022

Bidwill was once lauded for the way he parted philosophically from his father, Bill, by spending money to make the Cardinals more competitive.

But criticism of the team’s direction reached a fever pitch after Sunday’s 25-24 loss to the Chargers, and many fans have legitimate questions as to whether Bidwill would eat Keim and Kingsbury’s freshly-minted contracts and fire them now that the record sits at 4-8.

The best way for Bidwill to earn back that respect? By making a run at Sean Payton.

The former Saints coach is one of the most decorated football people on the planet, and he serendipitously chose 2022 to take a year off.

There was an ESPN report that said Payton could be interested in potential openings with the Cardinals or Chargers because of their stable quarterback situations.

If Sean Payton is truly interested in the Cardinals and Chargers, that was a good result for Arizona.

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) November 28, 2022

That jibes with my research, as I have heard in the past that Payton really liked Murray as a prospect out of Oklahoma.

If Payton truly has interest in joining the Cardinals, Bidwill must put on the full-court press.

Fire Kingsbury and Keim? Done.

Full control over personnel with a handpicked GM? Done.

Outlandish salary? Blank check.

Staying out of the day-to-day, which Bidwill so enjoys being involved in? If it lures Payton the desert, Bidwill must put his preference aside to give the Cardinals their best chance at winning a Super Bowl.

The courtship does not necessarily have to result in the hiring of Payton or even the firing of Kingsbury. There are ways for Bidwill to surreptitiously learn if Payon is legitimately interested in becoming the team’s coach, and if not, a new plan must be hatched.

Maybe Payton doesn’t want to come to Arizona, especially after seeing all of the dysfunction in the past calendar year.

I think Keim should be fired regardless, but can still buy the return of Kingsbury if an offense led by a healthy Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown looks dynamic down the stretch.

Steve Keim did not act with urgency the past two years, and it torpedoed any chance at Super Bowl contention for the Cardinals.

That miscalculation should cost the general manager his job:https://t.co/aneXJCnM3o

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) November 22, 2022

But if Payton shows the slightest interest, Bidwill must roll out the red carpet and do everything in his power to land an all-time coaching great.

Arizona gave a glimpse of what it could be offensively in Sunday’s loss, which could be just enough for Payton to consider coming on board.

It’s not unrealistic to think the presence of Murray, Hopkins, Brown and Rondale Moore in 2023, combined with a better offensive line and improved coaching, could make this offense extremely potent once again.

It would be understandable if Payton passed on the Cardinals, but on Bidwill’s end, the lack of pursuit would be a colossal missed opportunity.

One thing Keim has done well in his tenure is accept sunk costs. He famously traded top-10 pick Josh Rosen after one season to draft Murray.

Bidwill needs to take a page from that playbook.

The extensions for Keim and Kingsbury were huge mistakes, but that would be compounded greatly if Bidwill allows pride and money to keep him from going after a superior option.

Bidwill speaks often about his desire to win a Super Bowl. He can put his money where his mouth is by going all-in to land Payton over the next few weeks.