The coaching search is ongoing. The mailbags are ongoing. In fact, here's one now! Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Matthew C:
"Who in the world didn't vote for Trey McBride for first team All-Pro? There wasn't even real competition this year! Every year we see votes that are clearly just unacceptable (remember when Justin Fields got an MVP vote in the same year he won three total games and threw 4(!) game-losing interceptions?) Can your vote be removed if you clearly refuse to vote for deserving players to push a personal agenda?"
I will be honest, I am not sure how someone could've picked Kittle over McBride for the spot. Not that Kittle isn't great. But he was injured and McBride's statistics dwarfed his. And while Kittle is considered the better blocker, I think McBride has done a solid job in that realm; he is not Kyle Pitts. Bugs me yes. Does not throw me in a tizzy. McBride was still first-team All-Pro. He still had a great season for a team that did not have a great season. I can't speak for who voted that way or how it might be handled by AP, but in the end, there are bigger fish to fry in this world.
From Chris Leonard:
"Darren, I agree it was time for a change; but sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture. This was a bad time to fire JG. With no clear plan (or path) for the QB position, the 2026 Cardinals is not an attractive job. On top of the fact you're in a brutal NFCW division. We should have kept Gannon one more year. In 2027 the draft looks much stouter at QB. I feel like firing JG makes our future even worse, not better."
*inserts Herm Edwards gif*
HEL-LOO ....
You don't see a clear plan for QB, but you also don't know what the GM -- who hasn't gone anywhere -- has in mind. But that's not how anyone in this world thinks. Or not how they should think. Fans are clamoring to get this turned around. You can't just go into a season, especially after this last year, and say "Oh well. Let's lose." Teams can turn things around quickly. You don't know what the NFC West will look like or how they will perform in 2026. If you feel like Gannon wasn't the guy to win, and clearly they did not, then you need to make the move now.
From Jeff B:
"Been a Cardinal fan for 33 years when I moved here from California. I was a huge 49er fan but not since I left. I have had season tickets at our two stadiums. We have only made it to the Super Bowl one time. I do not want to give up on my Cardinals but like a lot of us fans we are embarrassed, hurt, and frustrated. Maybe we need a coach that will knock the franchise on its butt and bring it back up to stardom. What about Jon Gruden? Thank you for reading. Please let me know if I'm out of line. Signed, Hard core fan Jeff."
No, you're not out of line, at least with the fan stuff. You want to win. All the fans do, and owner Michael Bidwill noted that he shares that frustration. (This, Chris L. from the question above, is why the Cardinals made the move they did.) Now, as for Gruden, I'm not a fan. He's been out too long for my taste, and I just feel like he's too old-school for what works these days. I could be wrong, but I have not seen his name attached anywhere, and considering there are eight openings and double-digit initial lists for most, I think that's a sign.
From Dan Graham:
"Sir, what is the deal with offensive lineman Evan Brown? Any information why he has not played?"
As a matter of fact, that information just became public the last few days, via his wife on social media. The Brown's child was born a month premature at the beginning of December and then was quickly diagnosed with a heart defect that meant he already had to have heart surgery. While the baby was recovering, Brown was there for his child and family. Fortunately, the baby made it through and is now home with his parents.
From Dwayne Lash:
"Why don't we go after the hottest name in all of coaching right now? Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti? Guy has major Belichick vibes. And before you roll your eyes, remember the golden rule: money talks."
I'm not sure a 64-year-old coach who has never coached in the NFL in any capacity makes sense.
From Ray Martin:
"I worked in the oil business and have seen multiple boom-and-bust layoffs. Sad to see anyone get fired. My best wishes to JG and his position coaches. My question is, does JG and the position coaches with contracts that extend through 2026 or 2027 get paid for those years? I saw where one coach has already found a new coaching position. Will he get paid by Cardinals and the new team if he has a contract through 2026? P.S. Coconut cream pie is very good. I am concerned about your taste buds."
I didn't say coconut cream pie wasn't good. I said no one picks it as the best pie. You gotta understand the nuance, Ray. As for contracts, coaches get guaranteed contracts, so yes, if there is time left on their deals, they will get paid. That said, coach contracts also usually have offset language, so if they get another job, the old team pays the difference between their old salary and new salary, if there is one. The length of deals also varies. Typically the coordinators in my time with the Cardinals would get three-year contracts, in which case, those would be expiring.
From Sebas Quiros:
"With all this talk, a question popped in my mind. Where do NFL teams get the names and contact information of all the agents of coaches and players? Does the NFL provide a database or do teams have to do a little investigation to get that information? Do they talk to players/coaches and they forward them to their agents? How does it all work out? Thanks for the mailbag, specially during such a tough season!"
Yes, the NFLPA has a database for agents and who they represent, and for the draft teams are given numbers for available players (and I would assume, their representation.) It's not hard to track down what else you may need. When jobs and money are on the line, people make sure they can be in contact.
From Bryce Allen:
"Jeff Rodgers famously survived two coaching turnovers. That begs the question, the Cardinals have fired JG but does that mean they also fired the entire staff? Is Rallis still on contract? Rodgers? Petzing? Woolfork? What's the current status of everyone else?"
First, I am imagining Jeff hearing you say he "famously survived" and picturing his half-smile and making some deprecating comment that he doubts anything he is doing is famous. But as of right now, the Cardinals have not announced the status of any of the other coaches. Some might be under a contract that is about to expire but I don't know when that date might be; often teams will keep some of the assistants around to let the new coach decide if he wants to interview them for a position.
From Artie B:
"Hey Darren, thanks always for mailbag. I always love to hear your take. What do you think Mr. Bidwill's opinion is on Kyler and does it even matter? I mean he did pay him for a long contract. Maybe he is all in on Kyler and Kyler staying and that was part of the JG firing. As soon as JG said the clock was ticking I think he knew his time was done after the season. I think it will be interesting on the new coach's tone on Kyler will be when he starts."
I think at this point Michael Bidwill is going to get input not only from the new coach but also Monti Ossenfort, who I would expect hasn't just been a QB bystander this whole time. I would guess Michael wants to win. He is going to tell Ossenfort (and the new coach) that, and it'll be up to those guys to decide how it gets done. Ossenfort said "all options are on the table" when it comes to QB. That would include Murray staying. But there is also a case for the two sides each getting a fresh start, and once the coach is named, that'll be the next big question to answer.
From Jeremy P:
"On the roster breakdown post, why did you say Michael Wilson 'Proven WR1 now, right?' as if it were sarcastic? Yes. He is WR1. It's not even a question. Just like Trey McBride emerged from the shadow of Zach Ertz and established himself as TE1, no questions asked, Michael Wilson is WR1. Period. He was statistically dominant after Marv went down. I don't understand what you're asking. Do you not think so? With so many unknowns on this team, can we please agree on something simple? Yes, Michael is WR1. On to the next problem."
Jeremy, you seem to have gotten really worked up about this. I'm not sure why. It was just a chatter line. My opinion. Also, I missed where I wasn't allowed to use sarcasm? Was that a thing? I'm pretty (expletive) if I can't be sarcastic.
Look, I think Wilson is a 1, but guess what -- I'm not a coach. I never will be one, and neither will you. So in the end, we aren't going to dictate Wilson's usage. Heck, we don't even know what kind of offense the Cardinals are going to run next season. You're not going to find a bigger Wilson proponent than me. (And to be clear, it was rhetorical. I wasn't really asking. But I appreciate you answering anyway.)
From Bob Kitsos:
"While I write this, the Cardinals are still searching for a new coach and this will of course greatly affect the decision of who the starting QB will be next season. However, I'm puzzled by the press about the team possibly not retaining Kyler Murray. Come the opening of camp, he should be healthy. The arm, scrambling ability and experience is still there. While Jacoby Brissett did an admirable job, he finished the season with a 1-10 record and is suited for the backup role. What am I not understanding about the situation?"
I mean, there is a lot that goes into the quarterback equation. Where the player is at this point in his career, what the new coach is looking for behind center (which we don't know yet), what the offense is going to look like, what are the other potential options. Also, Brissett won one start, but there are a lot of things that went into those 11 results, not just QB play. The defense did not play well in many of those games. And in the end, unless you are in the middle of it -- which even I am not -- there is no way to completely "understand" the situation because we won't ever know everything being on the outside.
From Terry T:
"I have said it since they drafted him. They need to move on at QB. I believe Brissett did very well considering the OL he had. I would keep him, and draft a second- or third round QB. Do some major work with OL and D. Why does it seem that guys do not want to play. They get injured every other week."
Injuries are injuries. I'm not sure what to tell you. When guys are messing up knees and Achilles and can't walk or need surgery or crack ribs, I'm not sure how someone is supposed to play on that. If your hamstring or groin is messed up, if you play but the guy blows past you because you can't open up, not sure how that helps the team. I am not going to say every player has always played through injury in my quarter-century plus of covering this team, but I believe almost everyone wants to play if they can.
From John M:
"I am actually more concern with the quarterback situation than the coaching situation. I have always liked Murray, but I would love to see what Brissett could do with a healthy Conner, Benson and Harrison. Are there any quarterbacks in the draft besides the top two the Cardinals may consider drafting?"
We are still early early for the QBs that make sense early in the draft. We still don't know if Moore or Chambliss will be eligible, we don't know if someone will wow at the Scouting combine that could catch someone's eye. It's safe to say this QB class is not to the level as a couple in the last few years.
From Shone C:
"Hi Darren. I thought it was funny you guys did a Cardinals Underground podcast last week, because it reinforces how compartmentalized a sports franchise really is. The head coach is just the boss of the players, he's not the boss of the franchise. However, with that said, if the head coach ever came to you (Darren) and criticized your work, or gave you a directive, what happens?"
We did one in the same timeframe after Kliff, after Wilks. The team doesn't go away. There is just change. As for the head coach and myself, there have been a couple of instances over 18 years I have heard from the coach. You have a discussion, like any co-workers -- and yes, I consider the coach my co-worker -- and go from there. I am lucky. The football side of the building has been very good to work with over the years, and with all the different people that have been in that main office.
From Bob N:
"With all of the players ending up on IR this year, who is not expected to be ready by training camp?"
We don't know that right now. The only one I'd feel confident in speculating right now is cornerback Garrett Williams, who tore his Achilles. But we don't know specifics about Walter Nolen III's injury, and some of the other injured guys you would think would be OK by camp. But there will be time to talk about that later.
From Richard W:
"I see Sam Leavitt is having trouble joining a new school. Can he still declare for the draft? The Cards would sure get an uptake in season ticket sales. And may even win some games."
It's funny. As I write this the news had come out that Leavitt was going to LSU ... but wait! Maybe not! OK, maybe so. Jayden Daniels, The Sequel.
Regardless where Leavitt was going to land, he was staying in college. Which is the right call. He didn't have the kind of year that you want heading into the draft, which is I'm sure part of the reason he decided to transfer (I guess?) I will say this, unless you got him on the third day, I don't think he's ready and I don't think he'd impact the Cardinals the way you think he would. Also, with everything that has happened, do you think he'd still help ticket sales? Feels like the ASU fanbase isn't thrilled with his situation.
