Despite the Cardinals’ substantial regression this season, head coach Jonathan Gannon seems poised to keep his job in 2026.
Gannon’s 27-49 record and lack of defensive success in Arizona has stirred speculation about the Cardinals making a change this offseason. However, such a move seems unlikely at this time, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
A primary factor in Gannon’s job security is the continued support of Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, who appreciates the strong culture Gannon has built. Despite the appearance of a shaky start in Arizona based on bhis portrayal on “Hard Knocks” during the 2022 season, Gannon is respected by his players, which has persisted despite the team’s struggles this year.
Bidwill may also have a more generous assessment of Gannon given the Cardinals’ inconsistency at quarterback in his tenure. Kyler Murray tore his ACL in 2022, the year before Gannon was hired, and only played eight games in Gannon’s debut year. Like most players recovering from such an injury, Murray was not quite himself upon his return to the field. He was fully healthy in 2024 and showed some improvement, but regressed in his five years this year before suffering a knee injury that ultimately ended his season.
As a result, it seems more likely that the Cardinals move on from Murray than Gannon this offseason. That would allow Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort to pick their own quarterback, as Murray was drafted and signed an extension before either arrived in Arizona.
One figure that will certainly be leaving is defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere, who will take up the same position at Michigan State, per 247 Sports’ Justin Thind. He will reunite with new Spartans head coach Joe Rossi, who he played under and coach with at the University of Minnesota.
Yeah and my cat can fly.
You need to teach your cat how to play the fiddle, then get a cow that can jump over the moon 🙂
‘…A primary factor in Gannon’s job security is the continued support of Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill,…’ More like the owner is too cheap to pay 2 coaches again.
Does it really matter? I don’t think anyone cares, from locals in Phoenix or nationally. They are truly the one franchise that could contract, and nothing would be missed.
Then the Cardinals need to be prepared to give him two years, a rookie QB, even a good one, rarely ends up being a cure all.
Joe Rossi? Does Pat Fitzgerald know this?
Not sure what Gannon brings to the table, honestly, bad QB situation or not. If the Cards do give a new QB in the draft, do we expect him to flourish? If so, then this is wise; if not, then it seems like just a slower demise.
In my opinion, Gannon brings very little to the table. The biggest thing I look at when I talk about coaches is: do they have their side of the football figured out, or not. Gannon has a defensive coaching background, and the Cardinals defense hasn’t looked that great.
If the defense was strong, and it was just the offense that was struggling, then I’d think it wise to give the guy some time to try to figure it out on offense. Unfortunately, for the Cardinals, that’s not the world we’re living in. I think it’d be a huge mistake to entrust a defensive Head Coach to develop a young QB when he hasn’t proven able to build his own defense.