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Potential Coaching Changes And Kliff Kingsbury On Playcalling

Some staff moves reportedly happening already

When the season ended, Kliff Kingsbury said he didn't know what would happen with his coaching staff, because at that point, evaluations were ongoing.

But changes are reportedly happening (nothing official has been announced, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see nothing official until all the coaching moves/hires were complete) and it goes toward the offensive side of the ball. Wide receivers coach David Raih would be out, while passing game coordinator/QBs coach Tom Clements would retire and assistant QB coach Cam Turner would be promoted. (Turner is the guy who is always wearing the green baseball cap on the sideline.)

What the impact would be on the offense will be interesting to see. Obviously at wide receiver, the Cardinals are hoping to get more development out of Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson and maybe even Christian Kirk. But big picture, and I know this is a topic among fans, how this might/could impact how Kingsbury himself might handle the game is TBD.

But it was interesting to hear Kingsbury address his thoughts on playcalling via the Scott Van Pelt podcast, which was released back on Oct. 27 during the season. (h/t to the "Doug and Wolf" show because I missed this at the time.) The Cardinals at that point were 5-2 and in first place in the NFC West -- basically the high point of the season (although the Hail Murray was a pretty good moment too.) Kingsbury was asked what it would take for him ever to give up playcalling duties.

"I would retire," Kingsbury said. "It's part of the game, I couldn't just sit there and watch it. A lot of people are great at that, managing games, and that's not my strong suit. My strong suit is calling it and interacting with the quarterback. I've got to play to my strengths."

That makes sense to me -- the reason Kingsbury was hired was because he'd be the offensive mind and playcaller. The question becomes if there would be a coach that comes in who help more on the managing side of things while Kingsbury focuses on the playcalling.

Kliff Kingsbury calling a play during a home game in 2020
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