After three straight seasons without playoffs, the Arizona Cardinals decided to fire head coach Jonathan Gannon. The franchise’s decision came after the team finished the regular season on a nine-game losing streak.
Gannon, the former defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, finishes his tenure as the Cardinals’ head coach with a disappointing record of 15-36.
Why Did the Cardinals Fire Jonathan Gannon?
The Cardinals brought in Gannon to provide stability on defense and make deep playoff runs with Kyler Murray as the quarterback. However, the head coach was unable to do that, and the franchise is also expected to trade Murray in the offseason.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, Arizona finished the season as the 25th-ranked unit in the league. In the three seasons under Gannon, these were the Cardinals’ records:
- 2023: 4-13
- 2024: 8-9
- 2025: 4-13
The #AZCardinals are firing coach Jonathan Gannon, sources say.
Endless losses to finish an injury-riddled season spelled the end of Gannon, who should be a top-tier defensive coordinator candidate now. pic.twitter.com/HSI29PENNs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2026
The Cardinals showed signs of promise last season, but their 2025 campaign unraveled as injuries mounted across the roster. Due to these circumstances, there was an expectation that Gannon would be retained.
Instead, the organization opted to make a difficult call, parting ways with the head coach on Monday following the conclusion of the regular season.
MORE:Â Jonathan Gannon Replacements: 5 Coaches Cardinals Should Target After Firing HC
As for Gannon, he is expected to be a top defensive coordinator candidate for the upcoming coaching cycle. If the Green Bay Packers lose Jeff Hafley, then the former Cardinals head coach could be high on the NFC North team’s wishlist.
Despite Gannon’s departure, there is no guarantee that Murray will start in Week 1 for the Cardinals next season. Arizona currently has the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and could potentially select a quarterback.
Murray is expected to be a trade candidate this offseason, and the New York Jets could be in for him if they don’t like any of the eligible quarterbacks in the upcoming draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are also a team that could trade for Murray, but currently, all signs point to Aaron Rodgers playing another season. As a result, the Cardinals’ quarterback’s market is not big, and the franchise must act quickly to decide on his future before hiring the new head coach.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
