Jan. 28, 2026, 7:16 p.m. MT
The Arizona Cardinals were one of 10 teams looking to replace their head coach. They fired Jonathan Gannon after their 3-14 2025 season, going 15-36 in three years, losing 14 of their final 15 games, including their final nine.
However, as badly as the season was played, the organization is fumbling the coaching search just as much.
How are the Cardinals fumbling the offseason?
We have to start with the fact that some candidates didn’t want to interview. Big names like John Harbaugh and Sean McDermott weren’t interested.
They have been used for leverage. Robert Saleh used them to leverage the Tennessee Titans before agreeing to be their new head coach.
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They wanted a second interview with Jeff Hafley. He went to the Miami Dolphins before he could return to Arizona.
After they met with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, they either told him they weren’t interested or he decided to bow out, as he agreed to an extension with the Jags.
They had Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur in for two days and he left without a deal when all signs pointed to him.
They now have Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to interview again, but if he has his interview with the Las Vegas Raiders before that, the Arizona interview might be another leverage move like what Saleh did.
They can’t get interviews with big names. They are being told no. They can’t close a deal with the favorite.
Eight other teams have found their new head coach. The Cardinals and the Raiders are left, and if Kubiak never gets to Arizona or leaves without an agreement, who knows what will be next?
The quarterback situation
The Cardinals’ quarterback situation is front-and-center.
Kyler Murray didn’t play after Week 5. Some call it a soft benching, but the report was that his injured foot never recovered.
The general belief is the Cardinals want to move on from Murray. Fans won’t be happy if he returns as the starter. Because he supposedly never got healthy, his trade value will be nothing, because who will want an athletic quarterback with a lingering foot injury?
Jacoby Brissett isn’t the answer. While he had good statistical numbers, he went 0-9 after he was named the starter and 1-11 overall. He went 0-for-6 in game-winning situations. He was part of five blowouts of three or more scores. He is 2-15 as a starter over his last two seasons and 20-45 in his career.
The free agent class of quarterbacks is not promising. They have the third pick in the draft when the only quarterback seemingly worth a first-round pick is Fernando Mendoza, who will go first overall to the Raiders.
The Cardinals had their worst season in history in terms of losses. There has never been a more disappointing season ever. And in their attempt to turn things in the right direction, they have continued the disappointment.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.