Kevin Demoff knew he wanted to hire Sean McVay as Rams coach in 2017, but he still had to convince owner Stan Kroenke.

McVay was an ascending assistant coach with Washington at the time, but was also just 30 years old, which gave Kroenke pause.

How did Demoff, the team president, get it over the line? Former Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim said he deserves the assist.

“Kevin Demoff said to me: ‘Stan’s like, ‘This guy is 31 years old, or whatever it was; he’s too young,’” Keim said Friday on the ‘Arizona Football Daily’ podcast.

But Demoff relayed to Kroenke that, had Bruce Arians retired following the 2016 season, Keim was targeting McVay as his replacement.

“True,” Keim said. “He was my guy. I loved Sean McVay.”

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Arians had health problems during the 2016 season, but stayed on for one more year with the Cardinals.

The Rams hired McVay after the season to replace Jeff Fisher, and he has ascended to one of the best coaches in the league, while Arizona is on its fourth coach since 2017.

“It came down to, do you do it a year too soon or a year too late?” Keim said. “They were smart enough to know (to hire him) a year too soon. And by the way, I think he won 10 games his first year.”

The Rams are coming off their first loss to the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium under McVay, as the roster has been ravaged by injuries.

Los Angeles’ season is already looking murky with so many impact players sidelined, but if there is a head coach who can help turn the tide, it’s McVay.

“Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, there are four or five guys who are difference-makers from a play-calling standpoint,” Keim said. “I don’t care if it’s pre-snap stuff, motion, alignment, they will manipulate you defensively to the point where it messes with your head. They are so good.”

McVay is reportedly one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.

While he would have gotten there eventually, Keim said his belief in McVay helped the Rams make their decision back in 2017, putting McVay on the fast track to riches.

“He loves me because I made him a lot of money,” Keim said. “Sean McVay has paid (agent) Bob LaMont, but his ass owes me some money.”