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Cardinals' Tank Job: Gannon, Murray Out, LaFleur In
16 Jun
Summary
- Cardinals fired coach Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray after a disastrous 2025 season.
- New coach Mike LaFleur, formerly of the Rams, aims to improve the team's performance.
- Trey McBride set tight end records, with Jacoby Brissett showing promise as a bridge QB.
The 2025 season marked a significant setback for the Arizona Cardinals, culminating in the departures of head coach Jonathan Gannon and quarterback Kyler Murray. Gannon's defensive strategies proved ineffective, with the team ranking 30th in EPA per play allowed over three years. Murray's performance also declined, sidelining him for much of the season.
Mike LaFleur, recently the offensive coordinator for the successful Rams, has been appointed as the new head coach. LaFleur previously had a mixed record as the Jets' offensive coordinator but oversaw a top-10 scoring offense in his first year with the Rams. He has retained defensive coordinator Nick Rallis on an interim basis.
Jacoby Brissett took over as starting quarterback, leading a pass-heavy offense. Despite his limitations as a bridge quarterback, Brissett posted serviceable numbers, and fantasy managers hope for his full-season availability. Tight end Trey McBride had a historic season, breaking the single-season tight end reception record and achieving the third-best fantasy season for his position.
The running game is expected to be led by rookie Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick, and free agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier. Veteran running backs James Conner and Trey Benson may be traded due to the team's investment in the position. The Cardinals' win total is projected at 3.5 for the upcoming season, with a bet on the over being recommended.
