GLENDALE – There is plenty riding for Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon heading into Week 18. With a loss, the 2025 Cardinals secure the most losses in franchise history, and a win likely loses them a top five pick. Gannon is in a dilemma of being on the hot seat, trying to secure his job, and ensuring the team’s future.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, regardless of the result, the 42-year-old head coach expects to back for a fourth season with the Cardinals. When speaking to the media on Monday, Gannon stated he had “confidence” and felt “good” about leading this group next year as coach.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks onto the field during a NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.
Gannon on future of team and himself:
“I kind of do the same process as I’ve done for the last two years. I try to take details notes. I try to get a pulse of what’s going on. I do have to think about the future a little bit, obviously with the seat I am in. My focus is really on LA. There’ll be a time to look at all of that and have those conversations and make changes. No one is happy. I’m not happy. Players aren’t happy. Through adversity, you have to change. I got to change, and we got to change some things.”
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill talks with head coach Jonathan Gannon before playing against the New York Jets at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 10, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Entering this Sunday, Gannon has a 15-35 (.300) record in the past three seasons, which is the worse 3+ year stretch of any Cardinals coach since Dave McGinnis from 2000-2003 going 17-40 (.298). A loss in Week 18 would give Gannon the worst winning percentage of any Arizona head coach to be in the position for longer than a season in over 70 years.
In recent memory, owner Michael Bidwill has given certain coaches time to develop. Kliff Kingsbury got four years and Bruce Arians five seasons. The difference between those two and Gannon is that they made the playoffs by their third season. The franchise seems to be taking a step backwards as time progress under Gannon.
Drew Petzing (right), the Arizona Cardinals’ new offensive coordinator, listens to head coach Jonathan Gannon during an introductory news conference for Petzing at the Cardinals practice facility in Tempe on Feb. 23, 2023. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Gannon confidence doesn’t wave on his belief of being the head coach in 2026. Regardless, his calling for “change” has to mean a major coaching piece has to alter. The easy choice is to switch out coordinators. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing hasn’t had his team score 30 points in a game this season, while defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has allowed 35+ points five times in the last eight weeks.
If both are let go, no real point in keeping the head coach in that scenario. However, is replacing on coordinator enough “change” to turn this franchise around? The answer is unclear. What seems to be clear for Gannon is that change is coming in 2026, and he’ll be there to see it through.
Larry Fitzgerald named finalists for 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame
Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
