Cardinals retaining GM Monti Ossenfort despite firing head coach Jonathan Gannon
The Arizona Cardinals will retain general manager Monti Ossenfort despite firing head coach Jonathan Gannon on Monday.
Watch: Tyler Allgeier surprising reaction to the Cardinals drafting another running back | 7 mins
The Arizona Cardinals will retain general manager Monti Ossenfort despite firing head coach Jonathan Gannon on Monday after the conclusion of a 4-13 season.
Ossenfort will lead the search for a new head coach, according to multiple reports.
The Cardinals hired Ossenfort and Gannon after a disastrous 2022 season, replacing Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury, respectively. Arizona went 4-13 in their first season in charge, which was complicated by quarterback Kyler Murray missing the first half as he recovered from a torn ACL.
Arizona went 8-9 in 2024 with a shot to win the NFC West before a late-season drop-off, and 2025 was expected to be another year of growth. Instead, the Cardinals started 2-0 and lost 14 of their final 15 games to land the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
The Cardinals ended the year with nine straight defeats.
Ossenfort found value in his first draft with tackle Paris Johnson Jr., cornerback Garrett Williams and wide receiver Michael Wilson in 2023.
His next two drafts have left a lot to be desired so far, as 2024 first-rounders Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson have not yet lived up to their draft-day hype while injuries have taken a toll on much of Arizona’s young talent core. Williams, Robinson, BJ Ojulari, Trey Benson, Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson are among those who have been limited by injuries early in their respective careers.
The Cardinals’ free agency results have also been a mixed bag. Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. was a savvy addition in 2024, while defensive linemen Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones never really got going in Arizona.
Edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive lineman Calais Campbell were productive signings this past season, even though the defense under achieved, but the lack of offensive reinforcements beyond backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett left the team vulnerable on that side of the ball.
Beyond head coach, Ossenfort will have to figure out what comes next for the Cardinals at quarterback, as the writing is on the wall for a Murray departure.
Brissett has another year under contract as a bridge option, but he is 33 years old and despite putting up decent statistics went 1-11 as the starter this past season. Offensive line, skill position group and linebacker are other areas of need.
Related
Cardinals fire head coach Jonathan Gannon after 3 seasons
NFL head-coaching carousel: Buffalo Bills fire Sean McDermott after Divisional loss
Jeremiyah Love listed as RB2 on Cardinals’ 1st depth chart of preseason
Cardinals place P.J. Mustipher on IR, sign Brodric Martin
Jeremiyah Love isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer on honoring Larry Fitzgerald in Hall of Fame game
Marvin Harrison Jr. turns in best day of training camp, Jeremiyah Love flashes his hands
Comments
14 Comments
Just garbage, MO needs to go to. His draft selection have been terrible, he’s not aggressive in FA, or trade deadlines. Yes the coaching staff was terrible but the whole roster, except for maybe a handful of players, they he did not pick, as next man up was terrible. This was the first year I sold my season tickets. Just knew this year was garbage after the 2nd game. Murray needs to go, bite the bullet and find a bridge qb til 2027 draft
I was hoping to see Monti gone as well, but the coaching staff was the more pressing need to upgrade in my opinion.
TThis Team has money issues.
with still paying kliff & kiem till 2027
Now JG till 2028.
wanting to cut k1 is another 40+ million.
Got to get the bank in order also.
what a mess