The Arizona Cardinals' terrible season is thankfully coming to an end.
Now one question hangs over the franchise: will coach Jonathan Gannon keep his job and return for a fourth season?
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is a relatively quiet but constant presence on the team and has given little indication of what he wants to do. Arizona started the season 2-0 and was hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, but has since lost 13 of 14 in a brutal freefall.
Advertising
After the last defeat – 37-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals — Gannon was asked why he should be the leader of the team moving forward. The 42-year-old is confident he will return.
“I think their effort, energy and enthusiasm is there,” Gannon said. “I think they are educated. They have faith, but we have to coach and play better. There is no doubt about it.”
Here are the arguments for and against keeping Gannon:
“The silver lining is that Gannon’s first two seasons were encouraging as the team was on an upward trajectory. The Cardinals finished 4-13 in 2023 in what was clearly a rebuilding season, then improved to 8-9 last year, hanging in the playoff race until the final few weeks. This year has obviously been difficult, but Gannon still appears to have support in the locker room.
Advertising
It is also true that the team has had a brutal series of injuries. The Cardinals entered the Bengals game with 23 players on injured reserve or the non-football injury list, the most in the NFL. Miami was second with 18.
— As for the negatives, there are many of them. The Cardinals have had some disappointing moments and performances during their free fall this year that are quickly erasing the good memories of their first two seasons.
Running back Emari Demercado dropped the ball shortly before the touchdown while celebrating way too early in Week 5 against the Titans, who kicked off a stunning collapse that turned a 21-9 lead into a 22-21 loss. To make matters worse, Gannon was caught on camera angrily confronting Demercado, who appeared to bump into the running back as he swung his arm down.
Cardinals fined the coach $100,000 for his actions.
Advertising
Arizona was also called for Franchise record 17 penalties in a 41-22 loss at the 49ers in Week 11. The Cardinals are 0-5 against NFC West opponents this season, losing their last three by a combined 71 points. If they lose the regular season finale against the Rams on Sunday, they will finish with more losses than the other three NFC West teams combined.
What works
Trey McBride set the NFL record for most receptions in a season with a tight end. He has 119 catches, surpassing the previous record of 116 set by Zach Ertz in 2018.
“I’m proud of him,” Gannon said. “He comes to work every day and fights. He's one of the best players. It's really cool. I'm unhappy with the team and I know he's unhappy with the team, but I don't want to lose sight of that.”
Advertising
What needs help
The Bengals converted 10 of 15 third-down attempts, disrupting the Cardinals' defense in the game's most important moments. Arizona is giving up 35 points per game during its eight-game losing streak.
Stock up
WR Michael Wilson. He followed up his breakout season with five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.
The 25-year-old from Stanford has rushed for 907 yards this season, and given his current trajectory, he has a decent chance of breaking 1,000 yards against the Rams in the finale.
Stocks fell
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. It's been a losing season for the sophomore wide receiver, who left Sunday's game early with a leg injury after being targeted just once.
Advertising
Harrison has had good moments in his first two seasons, but isn't the game-changing option the Cardinals hoped for when they took him with the fourth overall pick in 2024. He has 41 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns this season while missing time due to injury and appendicitis surgery.
Injuries
The Cardinals hope S Budda Baker (concussion/thumb) can return for the finale. Harrison's season could be over due to recent leg problems.
Key number
20 – Gannon's record as Arizona coach fell to 15-35 in three seasons – 20 games under .500.
Next steps
The Cardinals finish the season at the Rams on Sunday.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
