ARIZONA CARDINALS

Leinart, Warner share opinions of former coach Whisenhunt

Nov 3, 2015, 9:54 AM | Updated: Nov 4, 2015, 3:47 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, and Matt Leinart share a laugh during an NFL football tr...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, and Matt Leinart share a laugh during an NFL football training camp Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009 in Flagstaff, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt Leinart was supposed to be the Arizona Cardinals’ QB of the present and future.

Kurt Warner was viewed as a player who once was great, but whose best days were behind him.

Yet, things all changed in 2007 when Ken Whisenhunt was hired to replace Dennis Green. Leinart struggled to pick up a new offense as well as stay healthy, whereas Warner — with gloves on each hand — seemed to get his turnover problems under control and look more and more like the player who was one of the NFL’s best passers in leading the St. Louis Rams to a pair of Super Bowls.

The two entered into a QB competition in 2008, with Warner winning and then going on to lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII. Two years later, after Warner had retired, most expected Leinart to regain his role as the team’s quarterback, but over the course of the offseason Whisenhunt soured on the former Heisman Trophy winner, instead choosing to cut him and go with a combination of Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton.

Whisenhunt was relieved of his duties in Arizona a few years later, and after a season as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, he took over as the lead man in Tennessee for the Titans.

Whisenhunt’s tenure in Tennessee did not last long, however, as he was relieved of his duties Tuesday after less than two full seasons with the team.

“We have expected more progress on the field, and I felt it was time to move in a different direction,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “I would like to thank Ken for his efforts with our team, as he worked very hard to try to move us forward.”

Upon learning the news, Warner — who credits Whisenhunt for helping to resurrect his career — chimed in with a thought on Twitter:

Needless to say Leinart, who was not pleased with how things went down in Arizona, had a different take on the deposed coach.

Who is to say which former QB’s assessment of the former Cardinals and Titans coach is correct? Whisenhunt did lead the Cardinals to their first and only Super Bowl, though he has amassed a record of just 21-50 over the three-plus seasons since Warner called it a career.

Either way, it’s clear both former Cardinals QBs — who are now analysts for different networks — have differing opinions on the coach, and they’re not at all too bashful to share them.

 

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

8 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

11 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Leinart, Warner share opinions of former coach Whisenhunt