The Arizona Cardinals remain interested in Jonathan Gannon as their head coaching search narrows and intensifies. The team had a long list of candidates at the start of January, but it has slowly been trimmed down. Dan Quinn has opted to stay with the Dallas Cowboys while Frank Reich has been poached by the Carolina Panthers and Sean Payton has been traded to the Broncos. With those three off the cards, the frontrunner for the Cardinals job appears to be Brian Flores, but he’s certainly not a lock for the job.
I haven't heard anything there except a rumor that they were perhaps waiting to interview some people they couldn't interview yet. https://t.co/u9PWDxODvB
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) January 29, 2023
Arizona Cardinals Could Be Interested in Jonathan Gannon
While Flores is the frontrunner, there are a number of head coach candidates still in the mix. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero are believed to still be in discussions. Meanwhile, the team have recently put in requests for Cincinnati Bengals coordinators Brian Callahan and Lou Anarumo. Mike Kafka, New York Giants offensive coordinator, is also scheduled to have an interview. These could be names to watch over the week. Gannon, however, seems to be a dark horse candidate for the team. The Cardinals got permission to interview him a while ago but nothing has been scheduled as far as the public know.
https://twitter.com/JohnnyVenerable/status/1619716705542082560
Jonathan Gannon is a Name to Watch
Gannon most recently displayed his prowess in a dominating performance in the NFC Championship game. Granted, the San Francisco 49ers were without a legitimate quarterback. However, Gannon still did an excellent job and is considered one of the best head coach candidates currently. He was interviewed by the Denver Broncos last year but was pipped to the job by Nathaniel Hackett.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator is currently on the wish list of the Houston Texans, though Denver are said to be looking to pounce. Arizona, meanwhile, have requested an interview with Gannon but have yet to schedule it. Despite all this interest, Gannon recently said that he would be staying in Philadelphia after the Eagles victory over the 49ers.
Jonathan Gannon to @BrelandFOX29 after the game.
“Philly is keeping me. Good bad or indifferent I’m staying here.” pic.twitter.com/TCaK5bQIGy
— David Grzybowski (@DavidGrzyTV) January 29, 2023
While Gannon’s current sentiment is that he will remain in Philadelphia, some pundits and commentators have suggested that he is still a prime candidate to leave. The impressive coordinator may just be stuck in the heat of the moment but, once the Super Bowl has passed, he can properly reassess his future. In some way, this plays favorably for Arizona and Denver as they can only interview him after the Super Bowl anyway. Given how both team’s head coaching searches have panned out thus far, waiting another two weeks to find the right candidate is definitely the right move.
Also in this story: If Denver wants to speak with candidates they have not yet interviewed… Keep an eye on Jonathan Gannon. If the #Eagles lose, they are allowed to speak with him. #AZCardinals have interest, too. https://t.co/7neaXGqrSO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2023
Gannon’s Fit in Arizona
Some would say that Gannon was dealt a good hand in Philadelphia. He has a stacked defense and the offense are fantastic at keeping turnovers to a minimum. As such, many have suggested that Gannon has had an easy job.
While that seems slightly reductionist, it does not matter. Plenty of reports suggest that the competence of a coordinator does not translate into being a good head coach. This was certainly the case with people like Mike Vrabel and Dan Campbell. Gannon is viewed to be in a similar boat by the mainstream media. He is a solid coordinator who has plenty of potential as a head coach.
Gannon is widely considered to be a well-rounded head coach candidate. He is currently a big part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl push, being one of the team’s figureheads. He also has a background in scouting, which means he has a wide range of experience in the world of football and football operations.
For Arizona, Gannon being a defensive coach may be attractive. The NFL swings in roundabouts and, after a disaster with Kliff Kingsbury, a defensive coach seems likely. The testaments that players have given for Gannon are also promising. He seems to be someone who will be able to implement a strong culture of ambition, drive and discipline in a Cardinals team that lacked leadership and accountability in 2022. These are things that Bidwill has been trying to establish with the appointment of Ossenfort.
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