Following a disastrous 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon. Team owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort met with the media to explain the decision.
“This is a league about wins and losses,” said Bidwill. “We just felt like we were going in the wrong direction, and we needed to change course.”
The Cardinals finished the season 3-14, a new franchise record in losses. After starting the season 2-0, the team lost 14 of its final 15 games. They finished the year on a nine-game losing streak, with six of those losses by at least 17 points. Other losses include monumental late-game collapses against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“We’ve won one game since Week 2 of the NFL season. And it felt like it had just gotten too far, and it was time to go in a different direction.”
Another sore spot in Gannon’s tenure in Arizona was the team’s record within their own division. The Cardinals went 3-15 against their own division over the past three years, including a 0-6 performance in 2025.
Bidwill told the media that they informed Gannon of the decision in the morning. The Cardinals’ head coach then informed the players, speaking to them one final time before leaving.
Michael Bidwill Explains Decision to Retain GM Monti Ossenfort
Despite setting a franchise record for losses, only Jonathan Gannon was fired after the season. Ossenfort’s appearance at the press conference was a clear sign his job was safe. Bidwill gave a vote of confidence for his general manager.
“When you look at the wins and losses, we just felt like the totality of all the circumstances, the best decision was to move in a different direction with head coach. I have worked with Monti for three years, I am very comfortable and confident in his ability to be our general manager.”
Bidwill praised Ossenfort’s ability to build the roster through the draft and free agency. Arizona drafted 28 players over the last three years, many of whom have gone on to start in 2025.
Bidwill says that Ossenfort will lead the search for the next head coach. On top of finding a new coach, the fourth-year GM will have to figure out the Cardinals’ quarterback situation. That includes deciding Kyler Murray’s future and where they’ll go if they choose to move on.
Ossenfort to Lead Cardinals’ Next Coaching Search
For Ossenfort, the first major decision is who replaces Gannon as the head coach. After his initial hire failed to improve the club, he may only get one more chance. So he must get this search right to keep his job.
What the Cardinals decide for their next head coach may also decide Murray’s future with the team. Arizona’s starting quarterback is a holdover from the previous regime, meaning Ossenfort’s future is not tied to Murray. He carries a $53.6 million cap hit for 2026, per overthecap.com, which could lead to the Cardinals cutting ties with their seventh-year signal caller.
With a likely change at quarterback, it’s important for Ossenfort to not only get the right head coach but also the offensive staff. The new head coach needs to have a plan at offensive coordinator and head coach. The offense has quality skill players, but lacks the right quarterback and coordinator to make it work.
Last year’s example showed different pathways the Cardinals can take. The Chicago Bears tabbed an offensive-minded coach in Ben Johnson, while the New England Patriots went with Mike Vrabel. In Vrabel’s case, he brought in Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator. Ultimately, both teams won their division and secured the No. 2 seed in their respective conferences.
Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill Explains Decision to Fire Jonathan Gannon