Jake Plummer Sounds Off on Cardinals Ownership: “It’s Organizationally”
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals are once again at a crossroads, searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Jonathan Gannon. But as the franchise begins yet another reset, former Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer isn’t convinced that a new face on the sideline will fix what’s broken in the desert.
For Plummer, the issue isn’t about who’s calling plays - it’s about who’s signing the checks.
“It really won’t matter (who gets picked),” Plummer said. “It’s organizationally.
From the top down, they’ve got to spend the money. If it happens from the top down, then they can win.
But we’ll see.”
That’s a pointed message aimed squarely at team owner Michael Bidwill, and it echoes a long-standing frustration that’s simmered among Cardinals fans and former players alike. The perception that Arizona operates on the cheap - particularly when it comes to leadership hires - has become part of the franchise’s identity. And Plummer’s comments only add fuel to that fire.
Spending Isn’t the Issue - Leadership Is
Here’s the thing: Arizona hasn’t exactly pinched pennies when it comes to roster spending. The Cardinals have ranked in the top 10 in total cap allocations in six of the last 11 seasons. So the idea that they’re unwilling to invest in talent doesn’t quite hold up when you look at the numbers.
But where the criticism gains traction is in the leadership department. Since 2007, the Cardinals have cycled through five head coaches, none of whom entered the job with a proven NFL head coaching resume. The last time Arizona hired someone with previous NFL head coaching experience was Dennis Green - and that was nearly two decades ago.
It’s not just about experience either. It’s about vision, culture, and building a sustainable program - something that’s been elusive in Arizona for a long time.
A Century of Struggles
The Cardinals are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, dating back to 1920. But despite that long history, the team has managed only nine double-digit win seasons - and just five of those have come since the move to Arizona. No head coach in franchise history has reached 50 career wins with the team, and only six have even cracked the 30-win mark.
That kind of track record doesn’t exactly scream “destination job” for top-tier coaching candidates. And when you combine that with the perception of organizational frugality, it’s easy to see why Arizona isn’t drawing interest from the likes of John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, Robert Saleh, or Mike McDaniel - coaches with either proven success or high-upside potential.
A Fanbase Running Out of Patience
For longtime Cardinals fans - and former players like Plummer - the frustration is real. There’s a sense that the team is stuck in a cycle of short-term fixes and underwhelming hires, and that no matter who steps into the head coaching role, the results won’t change unless the approach from ownership does.
Michael Bidwill said the decision to fire Gannon came down to wins and losses. That’s fair - the NFL is a results-driven business.
But if the Cardinals truly want to change their trajectory, the next move has to be more than just a new name on the headset. It has to be a shift in how the organization operates from the top down.
Because as Plummer put it, “If it happens from the top down, then they can win.” Until then, fans in the Valley have every reason to remain skeptical that a new coach - no matter how promising - will be enough to turn things around.