Does former Cardinals GM regret Kyler Murray extension?

It sounds like former Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has no regrets over signing polarizing quarterback Kyler Murray to a massive contract extension last summer. 

"It’s because I still believe in the young man, and because supply-and-demand at that position, either you have one or you don’t," Keim said about the subject during a Tuesday appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," as shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "And whether they all have questions and holes, you have to be able to — you’re either in or you’re out."

Murray and the Cardinals agreed to a five-year extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed in July after it was previously said the signal-caller could threaten to hold out into the preseason without a new deal. However, Murray then disappointed with his play before he went down with a campaign-ending knee injury in December that left him needing ACL surgery, which included some meniscus repair. 

Keim, meanwhile, took a leave of absence from the team in December and stepped down to focus on his health in January. 

Murray's reputation has taken multiple hits since his procedure. An unnamed Cardinals player told NFL insider Michael Silver in January that "it was like they created a monster" when the team paid Murray, and it was later said that new Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon inherited a difficult job largely because of the 25-year-old. Additionally, both offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum and Keim suggested this offseason that Murray "needs to grow" as a leader. 

Despite all of that, Keim explained why drafting Murray first overall ahead of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in 2019 remains the right call regardless of Bosa's opinion on the matter. 

"Well, your quarterback position is the guy who can propel your team the quickest," Keim remarked. "And he did that. Could Nick Bosa have gotten us to an 11-win team that year, two years ago?" 

Murray's first task this year must be to recover from a setback that likely will cost him at least a portion of the 2023 season. It's clear, though, that criticisms directed toward the two-time Pro Bowl selection aren't quieting down anytime soon even as he's sidelined.