Dark, cloudy, rainy. The day was dreary as four Cardinals -- Zaven Collins, Denzel Burke, Budda Baker, and Trey McBride -- played a round at the famous TPC Scottsdale golf course during the annual Waste Management Media Appreciation Golf Day.
The weather wasn't the best, and it matched the mood following the firing of coach Jonathan Gannon.
"I was pretty surprised," Collins said of the team's coaching change. "Everyone loves JG from top to bottom, but those conversations that are had, we have no idea of, and it's always a surprise when something like that happens, especially because so many guys love him. He definitely did good things for this organization. We as players, we've just got to get it done on the field."
Gannon had an opportunity to address the team and inform them of his dismissal on Monday morning. "All the different emotions were in that room," McBride said.
But the players knew they now have to help the team move forward during the transition.
"Being a leader is a year-round thing," McBride said. "I think it's one of those things where this is a time of uncertainty and to make sure the whole team is ready to go when the new head coach is here."
Whoever the next head coach is will take over a roster with talent at key positions. A historic season solidified McBride's place as the best tight end in the league. A budding wide receiver duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, coupled together with another Pro Bowl nod for Baker and a 12-sack season for Josh Sweat.
Yet the next head coach will have areas that will need to be addressed.
"It ain't a good feeling, especially when I see how hard these (teammates) work," Sweat said following the game against the Rams. "I always got something to fight for whether it's win, lose, or draw, because I'm just trying to (expletive) make whatever happen and however I can help."
On Monday, trash bags were littered around the locker room as the team began to clean out their areas. Players exchanged goodbyes prior to the Gannon news. Linebacker Cody Simon was seated inside his locker, still wearing the emotions one day after the final game of his rookie campaign.
The inevitable began to sink in.
"Once you've got to clean out everything, you wish you could have been playing for another couple of weeks, but it's reality," Simon said. "It's a business and we've got to be professional about it and evaluate what went wrong and what you did and then take a deep breath and get back to what you do in the offseason. I've got to figure that out because I never had an offseason."
This offseason, however, will be different once a new face enters the building. Because of a new head coach, the Cardinals can begin their offseason program earlier than other teams. Collins mentioned the need for veteran players to guide rookies like Simon and Burke through this time.
But there is a balance between navigating current emotions while also looking ahead.
"Guys were excited about what's to come, but at the same time, love JG and loved everything he was about," McBride said. "But I'm optimistic about what's going to happen next and who they're going to hire and obviously excited for a big year in 2026."
Soon enough, the sun will come out and the Cardinals will return to their happy place on the field.
In the meantime, they will continue to enjoy each other's company and go through this process together.
"Just enjoy our time, have fun, and lay back and hit some golf balls," Collins said. "Not always straight, but they were hit."
