The Arizona Cardinals have made a major move in their coaching staff, naming Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator. Gannon comes to the Cardinals from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as the team’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.
Gannon has been a part of the Eagles organization since 2016, and has been credited with helping the team reach the playoffs in three of his four seasons there. He has also been praised for his work in developing the team’s young defensive backs, including Pro Bowlers Malcolm Jenkins and Jalen Mills.
The Cardinals are hoping that Gannon can bring his winning pedigree to the team and help them improve on their 8-8 record from last season. He will be tasked with improving a defense that was one of the worst in the league last season, ranking 30th in points allowed per game and 28th in yards allowed per game.
Gannon is expected to bring a more aggressive approach to the Cardinals defense, as he has been known for his creative blitz packages and aggressive play calling. He will also be working closely with head coach Kliff Kingsbury to ensure that the team is able to maximize its potential on both sides of the ball.
The Cardinals are hoping that Gannon’s addition will help them take the next step towards becoming a playoff contender in 2021. With Gannon’s experience and knowledge of the game, the Cardinals should be able to improve their defense and become a more competitive team in the NFC West.