TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that he “feels good” about his chances of returning for a fourth season.
With one game left in a season that’s turned into one of the worst in organizational history, the Cardinals have dropped eight straight and 13 of 14 entering Sunday’s regular-season finale at the Los Angeles Rams. For a team that entered with postseason hopes, it’s been a sharp and painful fall, one that’s placed Gannon’s job security in question.
Asked Monday if he expected to be talking to news reporters next week, Gannon said he did. Gannon did not want to discuss whether team president Michael Bidwill had already informed him that he would return, but added, “I feel good.”
Gannon is 15-35 during his tenure in the desert. Before this season, he had the Cardinals positioned in the right direction. They went from four wins in Gannon’s first season to eight in his second. This season, the Cardinals were identified as a possible breakout team, but fell into an early tailspin and never recovered.
Injuries have played a part. Arizona had 23 players on injury lists entering Week 16, the most in the league. Among those out are quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, left tackle Paris Johnson, Jr. and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. With their depth depleted, the Cardinals have struggled to remain competitive. They’ve been outscored by nearly 16 points a game during their eight-game skid.
“I think the silver lining is when you get punched in the face, that’s true adversity,’’ Gannon said. “It forces you to grow. I tell anyone I’m around in this business, it’s kind of adapt or die. The adversity that we’ve had this year, you better adapt.”
He said Arizona (3-13) has a lot to play for against the Los Angeles Rams. It’s one last chance to end the season on a positive note. As he has many times recently, Gannon told fans to stick with them because better days are ahead.
“No one’s happy,’’ he said. “I’m not happy. The players are not happy. But through adversity, you got to change. I got to change. We got to change some things. We’ll get to that.”