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Josh Weinfuss
TEMPE, Ariz — For the second time in his three-year tenure as the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager, Monti Ossenfort will lead a head-coaching search. This one comes after Arizona fired coach Jonathan Gannon on Monday.
The search started Monday but won’t be a quick turn. Ossenfort said he doesn’t have a timeline for making a hire and that the rules on interviewing coaches whose teams are in the playoffs prevent the process from proceeding too quickly. Ossenfort also said neither he nor owner Michael Bidwill want to expedite the interview process.
«This is an important decision that Michael and I are going to undertake,» Ossenfort said. «And so we are going to be thorough. We’re going to look at a wide range of candidates.»
When describing his ideal candidate, Ossenfort said all the right things: He wants the «best head coach,» he wants a strong leader and someone who creates accountability and dependability in the locker room. He also wants someone who can develop young players.
Ossenfort wouldn’t declare whether he preferred an offensive or defensive head coach, only the best head coach and best fit available.
Chicago Bears with Ben Johnson and Jacksonville Jaguars with Liam Coen, both of whom made the playoffs this season with first-year head coaches, and the Seattle Seahawks, who will enter the playoffs as the NFC’s top seed in Mike Macdonald’s second season.
«When I look at what other teams have done, and frankly, historically we’ve done a quick turnaround in our not too distant past, I am looking forward to that,» Bidwill said. «And I hope it’s going to be in the first year — not in the second year — but we’re confident that our search is going to be thorough, it’s going to be broad, and we’re going to select the right coach.»
The Kyler Murray Effect
Hovering over the Cardinals’ search will be their quarterback situation in 2026.
While Kyler Murray is under contract through the 2028 season, the fifth day of the 2026 league year will be circled on the calendar. If Murray is on the Cardinals’ roster then, he’ll be guaranteed $19.5 million for the 2027 season — that’s after he has already been guaranteed about $36 million for the 2026 season, whether or not he plays for the Cardinals. The 2027 payout could be a deciding factor in whether Arizona keeps Murray, who missed the final 12 games of the season with a foot injury, for 2026 or if it decides to part ways.
Ossenfort said it was too early to start thinking about Murray’s future with the organization a day after the season ended.
Jacoby [Brissett] stepped in and played well and we’ll see what that leads to. We’ll see what that leads into the offseason as we construct the 2026 team, but those discussions are for another day, not the day after the season has ended.»
Arizona’s options
As the Cardinals start to construct their wish list and cast a wide net, their options are plentiful.
But their main decision will be whether they want a retread or another rookie coach, like their last three coaches — Wilks, Kingsbury and Gannon — have been.
Arizona could look at coaches like Kevin Stefanski or Brian Daboll, both offensive-minded coaches who were recently fired, or Mike McCarthy. Other former head coaches like Arthur Smith and Brian Flores could also end up being mentioned.
Then there’s a deep pool of rookie coaches, such as Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley or Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was a finalist for the job alongside Gannon in 2023.
