Arizona Cardinals Have A Very Busy Monday

The Arizona Cardinals certainly didn’t have a case of the Mondays today. They made two big moves, locking up two crucial members of the organization to new contracts and releasing a player.

Here is a rundown of Monday’s happenings.

Bruce Arians, Steve Keim signed to new contracts

It was announced that Arians and Keim reached agreements on their new contracts with the club through 2018. The organization has options on both men for the 2019 season.

Cardinals president Michael Bidwill released a statement regarding the news.

"“Two years ago we hired Steve and Bruce a few days apart and believed we had something really special,” said Bidwill in a press release. “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.”"

Both men get raises, which is of course much deserved.

It goes without saying how Arians and Keim have been a match made in heaven since the two came together in 2013. Over the last two years, the Cardinals have gone 21-11, which included a playoff appearance this past season.

After this breaking news today, both men will be with the organization for the next several years. That’s terrific news if you are a Cardinals fan.

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr (19) against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. released

In what will turn out to be one of the least surprising moves of the NFL offseason, the Cardinals released Ginn on Monday afternoon.

The receiver was due a $3.25 million salary for the upcoming season. Releasing Ginn will save Arizona $2.5 million of salary cap space.

Last March, Ginn was signed to a three-year deal worth $9.75 million. He was expected to be the team’s third receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, but he was far down on the depth chart by the end of the season.

Not only did Ginn perform poorly on offense, he didn’t do much on special teams either. He averaged a career-low 19 yards on 22 kickoff returns during the season and Cardinals fans will always remember his poor return in the playoffs against the Panthers.

Arizona will look to fill Ginn’s roster spot with a cheaper option either via the draft or free agency this offseason.