Arizona Cardinals Fire Jonathan Gannon After 15–36 Record in Three Seasons

Arizona Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon after three seasons as head coach, ending a 15–36 run marked by injuries, losing streaks, and another disappointing 3–14 campaign.
In a move that reverberated throughout the NFL world, the Arizona Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon was confirmed late Monday night, bringing an abrupt end to a turbulent three-year run in the desert. Gannon, who finishes his tenure with a Jonathan Gannon 15-36 record and zero playoff appearances, will no longer serve as Arizona Cardinals head coach after a season-ending loss that sealed another frustrating year for the franchise.

The Cardinals’ decision comes just days after their finale — a decisive defeat that underscored mounting frustrations among fans, media, and front office leadership alike. Arizona’s 3-14 performance in the Cardinals 2025 season was the franchise’s worst season of the modern era, and it ultimately became the breaking point in a head-coaching tenure defined by inconsistency, injuries, confusion, and unmet expectations.

Current Upshot: The Gannon Era Comes to a Close

At the conclusion of the Cardinals vs Rams matchup — a lopsided loss that capped a disappointing campaign — team leadership announced that Jonathan Gannon fired would be the latest seismic shift in the NFL head coach firing carousel this offseason. The news broke live on Arizona Cardinals news feeds and was confirmed by multiple league sources, reverberating across social media and national sports outlets.

Fans were left to process what has been a tough stretch in the desert, as Cardinals never made playoffs under Gannon and the team endured perennial struggles in the NFC West record column — including 3–15 against NFC West opponents during his tenure.

A Rough Three-Year Tenure

When Gannon took over the Cardinals, optimism was cautious but present. A defensive guru by reputation, he was expected to steady a franchise in need of identity. Instead, he presided over uneven defenses and stagnant offenses — and the results followed.

• 2023 (4–13) – Struggles from Day 1
• 2024 (8–9) – A glimmer of hope that never turned into momentum
• 2025 (3–14) – A collapse marked by injuries and inconsistency

Combined, those seasons produced a Jonathan Gannon record with Cardinals of 15–36.

Under his watch, the Cardinals never reached playoffs, nor did they ever finish higher than third in the division, locked behind rivals that continually outperformed them.

Injury Woes and Roster Chaos

There’s no ignoring the brutal injury list that hampered Arizona all season. The Cardinals injuries during the 2025 season were so severe that they logged the most on injured reserve in the NFL, disrupting chemistry, limiting playmakers, and forcing inexperienced players into key roles.

Even star names tried to battle through the carnage. Kyler Murray Cardinals future remains uncertain as he battled inconsistency and protection problems behind a line that struggled to hold up. The rushing attack, anchored by James Conner, never consistently found rhythm, while rookie Trey Benson flashed potential, only for injuries and poor blocking to stall his progress.

On the perimeter, playmakers like Marvin Harrison Jr. showed explosive ability but not enough consistency to push Arizona into competitive territory.

Defensive Struggles Under Gannon

A core reason why the Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon lies in the numbers — especially on defense.

According to ESPN Research, in 2025 the Cardinals’ defense finished:

• Points Allowed per Game: 25.9 (30th in NFL)
• Yards Allowed per Game: 352 (28th overall)
• 3rd Down Conversion %: 45% (31st in league)

For a coach initially hired for his defensive expertise, these rankings raised eyebrows and led many analysts to question scheme, preparation, and adjustments.

A Breakdown of the 2025 Season

Arizona’s 3–14 record (2025) was full of prolonged struggles. The team finished with multiple losing streaks — including a nine-game skid that professional teams rarely survive without long-term consequences.

The Cardinals’ offense sputtered, the defense often lagged, and situational football errors became a regular theme. Gannon’s decision-making came under intense scrutiny — from fourth-down aggressiveness to clock management — and few moments appeared decisive enough to genuinely flip momentum in games.

The Ending That Sealed the Deal

The Cardinals season-ending loss against the Los Angeles Rams was a microcosm of the year: too many mistakes, too much inconsistency, and too little progress. The defeat brought a collective exhale from fans who had spent years watching leadership pivot rather than progress.

Soon after the clock hit zero, Arizona officials confirmed that Cardinals head coach fired news would be official — setting the stage for a dramatic reset.

What Comes Next: Cardinals Coaching Search

With Gannon gone, the focus now turns to the Cardinals coaching search. The front office — led by Monti Ossenfort Cardinals GM — is expected to explore a wide range of candidates, blending experience with innovation.

The league’s coaching carousel is already spinning rapidly. Names from offensive powerhouses, defensive minds with track records, and coordinators from playoff teams will be discussed. A priority for Arizona’s next hire will be:

• A strategist who can unify the roster
• A communicator who inspires consistency
• A coach who elevates young talent

This new era will also shape the Cardinals’ draft and free agency plans, which could feature further roster upgrades and cultural realignment.

Broader Implications for the Franchise

This coaching change isn’t just about one man. It reflects a bigger reckoning in Arizona — one that acknowledges structural weaknesses that go beyond a single playcaller. The Cardinals have faced:

• Offensive struggles
• Defensive confusion
• Leadership turnover
• A prolonged playoff drought
• Rotation challenges due to injury depth issues

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the organization prepares for the coming months.

Looking Ahead: Rebuild or Reboot?

Arizona’s next steps will define whether the team continues a Cardinals rebuild or enters a more radical rebuild phase. This offseason will likely center on:

• Free agency strategy
• Quarterback hierarchy discussions
• Offensive identity overhaul
• Defensive improvements
• Draft capital maximization

Will Murray remain the face of the franchise? What direction will the next head coach take? These questions are already at the forefront of the 2026 NFL cycle.

The Legacy of Jonathan Gannon

Jonathan Gannon’s era in Arizona will be remembered for its ambition and struggle. His tenure offers lessons on how unpredictable coaching transitions can be, especially when faced with injuries and roster turnover. Though his time ends without playoff success, there are redeeming notes: communication efforts with players, adjusted game scripts, and moments that showed flashes of resilience.

But in today’s NFL, record and results matter most — and a 15–36 record, especially without progression late in the tenure, made this decision unavoidable.

Final Take

As the Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon and turn toward a new era, the franchise stands at a crossroads. A new head coach search will begin in earnest, and expectations — both internal and external — are rising.

Arizona enters a period of reflection and opportunity. Whether this next chapter brings sustained success, playoff contention, or another reset will depend on leadership, vision, and execution. The desert franchise has long awaited consistency. Now the chance to achieve it begins.

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