Expectations were high for the Cardinals in 2025, but they were not met, and ultimately that cost Jonathan Gannon his job as head coach.
The team announced on Monday morning Gannon was out after a 3-14 season, and that was the plain explanation for why owner Michael Bidwill and General Manager Monti Ossenfort – discussing the change first Sunday night after the finale loss in Los Angeles and again Monday morning – made the choice they did.
"(Gannon) made us better, but this is a league about wins and losses," Bidwill said. "The wins and losses speak for themselves, especially this year. We felt we were going in the wrong direction and we needed to change course."
The team lost their last nine. Gannon's overall record in three seasons was 15-36, and against the NFC West the Cardinals were 3-15 in his tenure. They had 25 players on Injured Reserve to end the season, and more than 30 spent time on various long-term injury lists (including NFI and PUP.)
"None of us expected to be here today," Ossenfort said. "We didn't. It's not just one thing. There are a lot of things we have to get moving in the right direction, and that starts (Monday)."
Both credited Gannon for building a culture. Bidwill said he is "comfortable and confident" in the job Ossenfort has done in building a roster. Ossenfort emphasized he thought the draft classes he has brought in have created a strong foundation for the future.
Rules to interview coaches – and ultimately hire them – has been altered at the NFL level to protect potential disruptions for playoff assistants. Assistants from non-playoff teams or teams with first-round byes (Seahawks and Broncos) can be interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Assistants for all the other playoff teams can't be interviewed before Jan. 13/14.
All those interviews must be virtual.
"With the rules in place of the NFL, this is not a quick process, nor do we want it to be," Ossenfort said. "It's an important decision that Michael and I are going to undertake. We are going to be thorough. We are going to look at a wide range of candidates, and with the NFL rules in terms of timing … a timeline, no. But we are going to be ready."
Ossenfort said the Cardinals won't necessarily be looking for an offensive or defensive head coach. He also didn't want to get into exactly how the Kyler Murray situation might impact any hire or be resolved after a hire.
"We just came off the last game of the year … there will be a time and place for those discussions," Ossenfort said. "When you come off a season we had, I'd say all options are on the table."
The Cardinals will own the third overall pick and pick in the top five of every round. Of course, neither Bidwill or Ossenfort would've dreamed the team would be picking anywhere near that area when the season began.
"There were several games we had a chance to win when injuries weren't as much of a factor, we didn't win them," Bidwill said. "We just felt like, when you looked at how much we regressed this year, the best option was to go in a different direction with head coach."
Players reportedly heard from Gannon in their team meeting as a final goodbye. Prior to the news as they came through the locker room for their final availability, many said they supported Gannon's work. Generally, though, there was just an overall disappointment in how the season turned out.
"It's a team game, so a lot of things went wrong," tight end Trey McBride said. "Lose a couple close ones early and it was kind of a domino effect from there. Very frustrating season. At the same time, I have a lot of hope and excitement for next year."
So too does Bidwill, anxious to put the 2025 season in the rear view mirror.
"I know our fans are frustrated. I am more frustrated," Bidwill said. "Monti is more frustrated. And so was JG. We all expected more. But when I look at it, some of the changes that were made with other teams a year or two ago, those teams with new coaches are now in the playoffs. I know we can turn it around."
