Cardinals' Gannon not worried about outside perception: 'I couldn't care less'
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon isn't concerned with how people are projecting his team to do in 2023, as they are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league.
"Like, I really couldn't care less," Gannon said, according to Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated.
Gannon was hired to be Arizona's boss after the organization dismissed Kliff Kingsbury less than one year into a six-year contract extension signed in March 2022. Kingsbury finished his Cardinals tenure with a 28-37-1 record and one playoff appearance.
The 40-year-old Gannon spent the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. He got off to a shaky start in 2021, as the Eagles finished 19th in points per game and lost 31-15 in the wild-card round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Philadelphia added more defensive talent in 2022 to give Gannon a much-needed boost, and the team soared, becoming one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Eagles recorded a league-leading 70 sacks last season and finished first in yards per game allowed.
Gannon was hired by new general manager Monti Ossenfort, who spent the previous two seasons as the director of player personnel of the Tennessee Titans.
Gannon raved about his new relationship with Ossenfort.
"He's very open, honest, communicates very effectively and swiftly," Gannon said, per Manzano. "He doesn't have to say what he needs to say in three sentences. He says it in one and keeps us on the same page."
The Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray to start the season, and it is unclear when he will return from a torn ACL suffered in December.
Gannon stated he and Murray's tenure together is off to a good start.
"He's doing good," Gannon said. "I love to be around the guy. We got a good relationship."
Arizona kicks off its season on Sep. 10 against the Washington Commanders.
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