Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon after disastrous 3-win season in 2025

By Beatriz 2026-01-05 18:25 BRT4 min read

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Arizona Cardinals announced this Monday, January 5th, the dismissal of coach Jonathan Gannon. The decision came one day after the end of the 2025 regular season, marked by a campaign of just three wins and 14 losses, the franchise’s worst in the modern era.

Gannon, who has been in charge since 2023, has accumulated an overall record of 15 wins and 36 losses in three years. The team started the year with two consecutive wins, but suffered a run of nine straight defeats to end the campaign.

Injuries were a significant factor throughout the year, with quarterback Kyler Murray playing in just five games before being placed on the injured reserve list.

Trajectory from Gannon to Cardinals

Jonathan Gannon arrived at Arizona Cardinals in 2023, coming from the position of defensive coordinator of Philadelphia Eagles, a team that reached Super Bowl in 2022. Ele signed a five-year contract, but failed to lead the team to the playoffs in any season.

In the first year, the team finished with four wins and 13 losses. In 2024, there was an improvement to eight wins and nine defeats, generating positive expectations for 2025.

Despite investments in defense and expectations of evolution, the team regressed drastically. Performance against NFC rivals West was especially poor, with just three wins in 18 games under Gannon.

Cardinals part ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon.pic.twitter.com/FgIoOPBcgn
— NFL (@NFL)January 5, 2026

Impact of injuries on the season

Injuries have profoundly affected the Cardinals’s performance in 2025. The team led the NFL with 25 players on the injured reserve list and recorded 42 different athletes missing a total of 309 games.

In addition to Kyler Murray, important absences included running backs James Conner and Trey Benson, as well as wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Essas casualties compromised both the attack and defense throughout the championship.

The defensive unit, Gannon’s main expertise, finished among the league’s worst in several statistical categories. The lack of depth in the squad was evident in consecutive defeats at the end of the season.

Individual highlights amid the crisis

Even in a difficult season, some players stood out individually. Tight end Trey McBride set a new NFL record for receptions by a tight end in a single season.

McBride finished the year with 126 receptions, trailing only Puka Nacua’s Rams in the league’s overall standings. Essa brand represented one of the few positive points in a year dominated by frustrations.

Other athletes showed flashes of potential, but it was not enough to reverse the team’s negative situation.

Losing streak and decisive moments

The Cardinals season started promisingly with victories in the first two rounds. However, a streak of five straight defeats changed the course of the year.

One of the low points came in Week 5, when the team lost a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter against Tennessee Titans. Essa defeat marked the beginning of a negative spiral that culminated in nine consecutive defeats.

The final game against Los Angeles Rams, ending 37-20, sealed the campaign with the worst record of defeats in the franchise’s history.

Draft and rebuild outlook

With the season over, the Cardinals secured the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Essa high position offers opportunities to reinforce the squad in critical areas.

Mock drafts indicate possible targets such as linebackers or cornerbacks from universities such as Ohio State, LSU or Texas Tech. The selection can help rebuild the defense.

General manager Monti Ossenfort remains in office and will lead the search for a new coach. The organization is also evaluating the future of quarterback Kyler Murray for next season.

Other layoffs at Black Monday

Gannon’s firing was part of a busy day at the NFL, known as Black Monday. Outros technicians such as Pete Carroll, from Raiders, and Kevin Stefanski, from Browns, were also dismissed.

These changes reflect the pressure for immediate results in the league. Várias teams are looking for new commanders for the 2026 season.

The Cardinals are now beginning a transition process, aiming to regain competitiveness in the NFC West.

Search for new coach

Monti Ossenfort will conduct the interviews for the head coach position. Candidatos with experience in offensive or defensive coordination can be prioritized.

The franchise is looking for a profile capable of dealing with the young squad and better managing injury situations. The choice will be crucial in defining the direction in the coming years.

Owner Michael Bidwill emphasized the need for a change in direction following recent results.