Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams went the same way that most games have gone for the Arizona Cardinals this season, as they lost 45-17. It was Arizona's fifth-straight loss and tenth in its last 11 games. Seeing what a disaster this season has become, it's fair to wonder if the Cardinals will move on from coach Jonathan Gannon at season's end. But would that be the right move?
To answer that question, we have to look not just at this season's 3-10 record but how the Cardinals have done throughout Gannon's three-year tenure.
We'll start in the most obvious place, Gannon's record. Sunday's loss not only dropped Arizona to 3-10 on the season but also moved the Cardinals to 15-32 under Gannon.
We'll call that Strike 1 against Gannon.
Of course, further context is required to explain some records. Gannon took over a bad situation in 2023. The Cardinals went 4-13 in 2022, finishing last place in the NFC West. In fact, that 2022 season featured two NFC West teams, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, making the playoffs. And while the Rams had a disappointing 5-12 season, they were only a year removed from winning the Super Bowl. So, Gannon inherited a tough situation.
Because of that, we're not going to hold Arizona's 4-13 record in Gannon's first season too much against him. It is worth noting, though, that the NFC West outlook got much tougher in 2023. The 49ers won the NFC Championship, the Rams rebounded and made the playoffs, while the Seahawks missed the playoffs but went 9-8. Los Angeles and Seattle both made the playoffs in 2024, while San Francisco regressed, going 6-11. Arizona, conversely, showed signs of improvement, going 8-9.
Unfortunately for Gannon, the progress from 2023 to 2024 works against him now. Improving by four games from 2023 to 2024 (not to mention starting the 2025 season 2-0) gave the Cardinals expectations. Those expectations have not been met. The division, meanwhile, is more daunting for Arizona now than it's ever been. The Rams and Seahawks are 10-3, while the 49ers are 9-4. Not only do all three teams appear bound for the playoffs but all have a viable chance at being the NFC's top seed.
And while the strength of the division could be used as context to give Gannon a break for his bad record, the circumstances behind those teams paint a different picture. The Seahawks moved on from Russell Wilson after a bad 2021 season and Pete Carroll after 2023. The Rams and 49ers had setback seasons in 2022 and 2024, respectively. But for those teams, those setbacks were temporary. For the Cardinals, the progress was temporary.
And while the Gannon inherited a bad situation, it's not any better now than it was in 2022.
In fact, because of the situation around quarterback Kyler Murray, there's a solid argument to be made that Arizona is in worse shape now than it was three years ago.
Murray hasn't played since Week 5 and has already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season. It's been a common theme throughout Murray's career, one that can be traced back to before Gannon took over. Murray tore his ACL late in the 2022 season and didn't return until November of 2023. To be fair, that gives the team's 4-13 record that season further context. The starting quarterback was out for several weeks and when he returned, he was shaking off rust.
The problem for Gannon is that, while it's not all his fault, Murray has just not gotten any better under his watch.
- Murray, 2019-2022: 66.8 completion percentage, 92.5 passer rating, 57.7 QBR. Per-17-game averages of 4,130 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 657 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
- Murray, 2023-2025: 67.8 completion percentage, 91.6 passer rating, 48.0 QBR. Per-17-game averages of 3,747 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, 560 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
There's already strong speculation that the Cardinals will move on from Murray at season's end. And really, that's the final dagger in Gannon's cause.
If the Cardinals are moving on from Gannon, it means a new quarterback of the future is forthcoming. At best, Murray's progression stalled under Gannon. So, why would Arizona entrust him to oversee the development of a new quarterback? The problems with Murray aren't all Gannon's fault. Still, there's been no progress and, realistically, significant regression.
There's no point in firing Gannon before the season ends. With the team already eliminated from postseason contention and assured of a last-place finish, no significant gains can be made from moving on right now. But if they're moving on from Murray, the time is right for a reset at the coaching spot, too. And even if by some chance the decision is made to stay with Murray for another season, nothing has happened under Gannon's watch to indicate that he deserves a fourth season.