The NFL offseason has already started for most teams, as several head coaches have been fired following the regular season, and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride weighed in on head coach Jonathan Gannon’s firing. McBride has come to know Gannon quite well in the coach’s three years in Arizona, albeit an unsuccessful stint.
What did McBride say about the coach’s departure?
Cardinals TE Trey McBride Gives Harsh Reality About Jonathan Gannon’s Firing
The Cardinals cut ties with Gannon on Monday, following a 3-14 campaign in which star quarterback Kyler Murray missed time due to injury, along with a decimated backfield. After Murray was ruled out early with a season-ending injury, Arizona could muster only one win across 11 games.
The NFL demands a winning record, and losers are shown the door very quickly — a reality that tight end McBride mentioned when asked about his thoughts on Gannon’s firing.
“Not what we expected, but I totally understand the decision,” he told Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake. “Disappointing. But at the same time, I understand the business. It’s a bottom-line business. If you don’t win, they move on.”
Gannon’s firing isn’t the only one with the theme of ‘losers are moved on from.’ The Las Vegas Raiders let veteran head coach Pete Carroll go after a 3-14 season. The Atlanta Falcons fired Raheem Morris after they missed the playoffs at 8-9. The Cleveland Browns also showed Kevin Stefanski the door on the back of a 5-12 campaign, following a 6-year run with the franchise.
“So, I feel for him,” McBride said of Gannon. “Love him as a person, love him as a coach, and I’m excited to see where he heads next… Everyone respected him… I’m excited to see who comes in next.”
Gannon’s time serving as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles paved the way for his hiring by the Cardinals. He had served in a winning culture in Philly, and Arizona banked on his success translating to higher highs in the desert.
The coach’s firing, however, isn’t the biggest of them all, with John Harbaugh having been sent packing by the Baltimore Ravens as well this week.
How this series of five sudden coaching changes impacts the NFL landscape remains to be seen. It seems unlikely that Gannon will land another head coaching job right now, while Harbaugh should be in high demand.
Gannon’s chances of reclaiming the DC role in Philly seem slim, as the Eagles ranked fifth this season in points allowed.