Black Monday lived up to its name across the NFL, as several franchises wasted little time making sweeping changes once the regular season came to a close. The Arizona Cardinals was firmly in that category, firing head coach Jonathan Gannon.
While the Cardinals weren’t alone in making a move, their decision stood out for a familiar reason that continues to follow the franchise year after year. Coaching turnover has long been a defining trait in the desert, and Monday only reinforced that reality.
Roughly 100 years into their existence, the Cardinals are still searching for something they’ve never truly had: sustained leadership on the sideline.
That context makes the firing of Jonathan Gannon feel less like an isolated decision and more like another chapter in a repeating cycle.
According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, the historical trend remains as stark as ever.
“The Cardinals still have never had a head coach — any head coach — last longer than six years, despite the franchise existing for over 100 years,” Meirov noted.
Gannon arrived in 2023 with hopes of building a long-term culture, but wins never followed. Arizona struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball, and even as roster questions and injuries piled up, patience once again proved limited. A 15-36 record over three seasons was ultimately too much to overcome, especially on a Black Monday where owners across the league were quick to act.
The Cardinals’ decision also highlights a broader issue the organization has yet to solve. Coaching changes have been frequent, but sustained success has not followed. Each new hire arrives with a vision, only to be replaced before that vision fully materializes.
Now, Arizona resets once again. Another search begins. Another staff will be assembled. And another coach will be tasked with doing what no Cardinals head coach has managed to do — last long enough to build something that actually sticks.
On a day defined by firings, Arizona’s move felt both expected and, in its own way, symbolic.