Gannon’s Challenge: Cardinals Must Learn to Win After Playoff Exit
Jonathan Gannon, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, is grappling with a painful reality: knowing how to compete is not the same as knowing how to win. In his third season leading the team, Gannon’s squad suffered a narrow defeat in their latest outing, marking their seventh loss in a one-score game this season. With a record now sitting at 3-9, the Cardinals have officially been eliminated from playoff contention, signaling a critical juncture for the franchise.
The Road to Understanding Victory
In a candid moment during his Monday press conference, Gannon conveyed a powerful message to his players. “I told them today, we figured out how to compete – we got to figure out how to win,” he stated emphatically. The coach emphasized that this wasn’t just a suggestion; it was a necessity. He laid out clear expectations for his team, identifying specific areas for improvement. “It’s clear when we watch the tape with them,” Gannon noted, “it’s very clear. Just got to do it.”
The Cardinals have now lost nine out of their last ten games, a stark contrast to the optimism that surrounded their 2-0 start. This disappointing stretch has raised questions about the team’s direction, especially after the organization made significant investments on the defensive side of the ball. The hope was that with continuity, the offense would also begin to flourish.
Assessing the Current State of the Team
Despite the setbacks, Gannon believes the Cardinals are on the right path. However, the inability to convert close games into wins has left the team searching for answers. “I was thinking about it on the plane,” Gannon reflected. “It’s like these one-score games, and then you watch all three phases on the plane as you’re flying home. Yes, it’s one-score games, but through the course of 60 minutes, every minute goes into winning and losing. There are multiple examples of a play here, a play there, execution here, a call here, whatever; all three phases—coaching and playing—we just got to do better.”
Gannon reiterated the need for improvement without any illusions of a quick fix. “There’s no magic pill. It’s not like we don’t understand how to win—we just haven’t done it,” he admitted.
Looking Ahead Amid Speculation
With five games remaining in the season, speculation about Gannon’s job security and the future of his coaching staff is likely to intensify. He remains resolute about his responsibility in the team’s struggles. “Like I said, we know how to compete. We don’t know how to win, and that falls on me. That’s completely on me,” Gannon acknowledged.
As the team navigates this challenging phase, Gannon is aware that adversity is a part of the game. “I don’t know the reasons now, but I know there’s a reason we’re going through this,” he explained. “If you’re in this league, or you’re in competitive situations, whatever you do, you’re going to go through adversity. We’re in it, and you just try to keep digging out and know that you will come out the other side better. And I do believe that.”
In the face of mounting challenges, Gannon’s focus remains on cultivating a winning culture, a task that will define the remainder of the Cardinals’ season.
