After Arizona Cardinals’ franchise quarterback, Kyler Murray, injured his foot in Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. That is why head coach Jonathan Gannon admitted his feelings, saying, “Nobody is pleased. I am not happy. They are not happy. At this point in the year where we’re at, it’s tough.”
And as the Cardinals end another season without making the playoffs, the head coach Jonathan Gannon’s job is in the spotlight.
NFL Insiders Offer Clarity on Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon’s Job Security
After starting the season with two straight wins against the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints, they currently stand in last place in the NFC West division with three wins and 11 losses. Additionally, this is the fourth consecutive year of not making the playoffs, following the 2021 wildcard loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
After not getting the Cardinals into the playoffs in his third year, NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero revealed whether Jonathan Gannon is on the hot seat.
In their latest report, Rapoport and Pelissero address the situation for the 2026 season, saying, “With potentially a new QB, can the Cardinals make a leap back toward contention next season in a division in which the other three teams are all currently competing for the NFC’s No. 1 seed?
“If Bidwill decides the answer is yes, the sense is he’ll stay the course. Putting all the factors together and noting the overwhelming number of injuries this year, one wouldn’t expect a change in Arizona.”
Jonathan Gannon has served as the Cardinals’ head coach since 2023, compiling a 15–33 regular-season record over three seasons with no playoff appearances. After a 4–13 debut in 2023, he improved the team to 8–9 in 2024, highlighted by strong defensive standings late in the season.
However, the Cardinals regressed in 2025 to 3–11, continuing a streak of losing records under his leadership and fueling ongoing discussions about his job security. The ongoing chatter about Gannon leaving Arizona would likely have a crash landing. That is why Rapoport and Pelissero also added, “Owner Michael Bidwill has been supportive of coach Jonathan Gannon.”
However, the story does not require a firm conclusion regarding Gannon’s job security; there is a Kyler Murray factor at play.
Kyler Murray’s Injury-Ridden Performances Have Been the Hurdles for Gannon
Gannon walked into the Arizona Cardinals’ facility with Kyler Murray rehabilitating his ACL injury in 2023. Then, in Gannon’s second year, the Cardinals ended the season with 8-9, which was quite better than the 4-13 record of 2023.
When the 2024 season ended, quarterback Murray opened up, saying he was not completely healthy.
And now, in the 2025 season, Gannon did not have the opportunity to lead with a healthy QB as Murray left the squad in Week 5. So, the head coach has not really gotten the chance to coach the team with a physically reliable QB.
Additionally, Murray’s fully guaranteed $36.8 million salary (plus another $19.5 million if he’s on the roster March 15) would not allow the Cardinals owner to look for a new head coach or a new general manager either, for the 2026 NFL season.
So, for now, Jonathan Gannon’s future with the Cardinals looks safe, but not forever.
