GLENDALE – In his first appearance since firing head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill took the stage on Monday’s press conference to address the decision. The 61-year-old went to great lengths to discuss about the character of Gannon, and the culture he brought to the franchise. Bidwill has had a stellar relationship with Gannon and other coaches’ families throughout the years and described the difficult of coming to his decision.
However, despite the difficulty emotional, Bidwill stated that the choice to fire Gannon was simple when it came down to one factor: wins.
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
Bidwill on the decision to fire Gannon:
“We’re so apperceptive of what he put into this organization. He made us better, but I think as you all know this is a league about wins and losses. The wins and losses speak for themselves, especially this year. We just felt like we were going in the wrong direction and we needed to change course. So, we did that this morning.
“I know our fans are frustrated, I am more frustrated. I know Monti [Ossenfort] is more frustrated, so is [Gannon]. Everyone of those coaches and players expected more. Also, when I looked at it, some of the changes made with other teams just a year or two years ago, those teams with new coaches from a year or two ago are now in the playoffs playing this weekend. I know we can turn it around.”
Jonathan Gannon is introduced as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals by team president Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort (right) during a news conference at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Feb. 16, 2023.
The clearest example of what Bidwill is taking about is former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator being hired by the Chicago Bears last offseason. The exciting hire was seen as a home run back then and has fulfilled the hype, as Chicago went from 5-12 to 11-6 and the second seed in the NFC. Since 2013, the Bears have had one season with double digit wins, and in Johnson’s first year he achieved that mark.
Arizona will likely be in a similar spot as Chicago entering the offseason. One double digit win season since 2016 and four or less losses in three of the last four seasons. The Bears had first overall pick Caleb Williams to help begin their rebuild, while the Cardinals will have the third pick in the 2026 draft to begin working toward the future.
Quarterback Kyler Murray’s time in Arizona is likely ending this offseason, meaning Ossenfort will be in charge of selecting the new head coach and possibly the franchise QB for years to come.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
