The Arizona Cardinals have officially moved on from head coach Jonathan Gannon, ending his tenure after three losing seasons and a franchise-low point that left little room for justification.
The decision comes after a disastrous 2025 campaign that saw the Cardinals spiral to a 3–14 record, capped by a prolonged losing streak and visible regression on both sides of the ball. What once looked like a long-term rebuild now feels like a failed experiment.
Why the Cardinals Pulled the Plug
When Gannon was hired, he was billed as a defensive-minded leader who could reshape the team’s culture. That vision never materialized.
Across three seasons:
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The Cardinals failed to post a winning record even once
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Defensive improvement — Gannon’s supposed strength — never arrived
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Late-game collapses and discipline issues became routine
At some point, rebuilding stops being patience and starts becoming avoidance. Ownership clearly decided that line had been crossed.
The 2025 Season Was the Breaking Point
The final season sealed Gannon’s fate.
Arizona finished with one of the worst records in the league and closed the year on a lengthy losing streak. The team looked uncompetitive late in games, struggled with fundamentals, and showed no consistent identity.
Injuries played a role, but they weren’t an excuse. Plenty of teams deal with injuries — few look as unprepared as the Cardinals did week after week.
What Went Wrong Under Gannon
Let’s be blunt — this wasn’t bad luck.
Key issues during Gannon’s tenure:
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No offensive identity despite quarterback investment
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A defense that ranked near the bottom despite heavy emphasis
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Poor in-game adjustments
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Young players failing to develop at expected rates
That combination is fatal for a head coach, especially one without prior head-coaching success to fall back on.
What This Means for the Cardinals Moving Forward
The Cardinals now enter a critical offseason with more questions than answers.
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Coaching search: Arizona will look for a leader who can establish clarity and accountability immediately.
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Quarterback future: Kyler Murray’s health, contract, and long-term role will be re-evaluated under the next coach.
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Roster direction: With premium draft capital and cap decisions looming, the next hire will shape the franchise’s timeline.
This isn’t a cosmetic change. It’s a reset.
My Take: This Firing Was Inevitable
Jonathan Gannon didn’t fail because he lacked effort. He failed because results never followed vision.
Three seasons is enough time to show progress. The Cardinals didn’t just stagnate — they regressed. When a team looks lost late in Year 3, ownership has no rational reason to wait for Year 4.
This move won’t fix everything. But keeping Gannon would have fixed nothing.
FAQ — What Fans Are Asking
Why was Jonathan Gannon fired?
Because three straight losing seasons, capped by a 3–14 finish, showed no meaningful progress.
What was Gannon’s record with the Cardinals?
He finished with one of the worst three-year stretches in franchise history.
Who will coach the Cardinals next?
The team has begun a full coaching search. No replacement has been named yet.
Is Kyler Murray safe under the next coach?
Nothing is guaranteed. His future will be reassessed by the new staff.
When will a new coach be hired?
The process is expected to continue through the offseason.
