The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon on Monday. Here are three candidates to become the Cardinals’ next head coach.
Cardinals Fire Jonathan Gannon
Owner Michael Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort address today's coaching change. https://t.co/Z58bhp7vZd
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 5, 2026
The Cardinals are moving on from Gannon, the team announced Monday. The firing comes one day after the Cardinals lost their season finale to the Rams, taking their record to 3-14.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and General Manager Monti Ossenfort spoke to the media on Monday about the decision to fire Gannon.
“[Gannon] made us better, but this is a league about wins and losses,” Bidwill said via Cardinals.com. “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.”
After starting 3-5, the Cardinals lost their final nine games of the season.
Gannon’s record was 15-36 in three seasons. Injuries derailed the Cardinals’ season, with 25 players ending the season on Injured Reserve.
The Cardinals also never received consistent quarterback play from Kyler Murray, who missed 12 games. The organization has a huge decision to make on Murray, who has a guaranteed salary of $36.8 million in 2026. Murray receives $19.5 million in guaranteed money for 2027 if he’s on the roster by the fifth day of the new league year in March.
Along with hiring a new head coach, Arizona will have a major QB decision to make this offseason with Murray, who is guaranteed $36.8 million in 2026. On the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March, another $19.5 million of Murray’s 2027 base salary becomes guaranteed if he is still on the roster.
The Cardinals are in no rush to hire the next coach.
“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.”
Cardinals’ Next Head Coach Candidates
Thank you, JG, for all your dedication and effort for our organization. We wish you and your family the best. pic.twitter.com/QxEuSDA6Gc
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 5, 2026
The Cardinals can go either way — offensive or defensive — with their next head coach. Arizona finished 23rd in scoring offense (20.9 points per game) and 29th in scoring defense (28.7 points per game).
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to be one of the top candidates for the Cardinals’ job. With Sam Darnold at quarterback, the Seahawks finished top 10 in total yards and scoring.
Perhaps Kubiak could be the coach to resurrect Murray’s career.
If the Cardinals want more experience, Mike McCarthy is a Super Bowl-winning coach who orchestrated three consecutive 12-win seasons (2021-2023) with the Dallas Cowboys.
If the Cardinals want a defensive coach, Minnesota’s Brian Flores is the top name on the market. Flores turned the Minnesota Vikings into one of the most aggressive defenses in the league.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will also garner attention around the league.
