Jake Plummer Sounds Off on Cardinals Ownership as Coaching Search Begins Again
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals are back in familiar territory - searching for a new head coach and facing tough questions about the direction of the franchise. But this time, the heat isn’t just on the sidelines. It’s on ownership.
Former Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer didn’t hold back when asked about the organization’s struggles, calling out what he sees as a top-down issue that continues to hold the team back.
“It really won’t matter [who gets picked]. 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,” Plummer said.
That frustration is shared by plenty of fans in the Valley who’ve watched the Cardinals cycle through coaches and quarterbacks with little to show for it. And while the franchise has often been tagged with a reputation for being frugal, the numbers tell a more nuanced story.
Over the past 11 seasons, the Cardinals have ranked in the top 10 in total cap allocations six times. So, the money is being spent - but where it’s being spent, and how those decisions are being made, is where the cracks start to show.
A Coaching Carousel with a Familiar Pattern
Since 2007, Arizona has hired five different head coaches. And if there’s a common thread, it’s that the team has consistently opted for lesser-known, lower-cost options - rather than swinging big on proven NFL leaders.
The last time the Cardinals hired a former NFL head coach? That was Dennis Green, nearly two decades ago.
That pattern hasn’t gone unnoticed by former players and league insiders. In a league where leadership in the head coaching role can make or break a franchise, Arizona’s reluctance - or inability - to land top-tier coaching talent has become a glaring issue.
The team recently parted ways with Jonathan Gannon after just two seasons. Owner Michael Bidwill cited wins and losses as the reason for the move. But actions speak louder than words, and the Cardinals’ current approach to the coaching search doesn’t exactly scream urgency or ambition.
Names like John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, Robert Saleh, and Mike McDaniel - all respected, experienced head coaches - are reportedly not being seriously pursued. That raises eyebrows, especially when the team claims to be prioritizing winning.
A Legacy of Losing - and a Crisis of Confidence
The Bidwill family has owned the franchise since 1932, making it one of the oldest ownership tenures in the NFL. But longevity hasn’t translated to consistent success. In over a century of football, the Cardinals have managed just nine double-digit win seasons - and only five of those have come since the team relocated to Arizona.
No head coach in franchise history has reached 50 wins with the team. Only six have even cracked the 30-win mark. That’s not just a stat - it’s a reflection of an organization that’s struggled to build and sustain a winning culture.
For Plummer, who once led the Cardinals to a rare playoff appearance in the late ’90s, the frustration is personal. He’s seen what this team could be with the right leadership and support. But like many around the league, he’s skeptical that the next hire will be any different if the organization doesn’t change its approach from the top down.
What's Next?
As the Cardinals begin their coaching search, the focus will naturally fall on which candidates are in the mix. But the bigger question looms: will Arizona finally break the cycle, or will this be another chapter in a long-running story of missed opportunities?
For now, the betting markets are already laying odds on who might take over in 2026. But until ownership shows a real commitment to attracting and empowering top-tier talent - not just on the field, but in the front office and on the sidelines - it's hard to blame anyone, including Jake Plummer, for being skeptical.
The Cardinals have the resources. They’ve spent the money.
But if they want to change the narrative, it’s going to take more than just a new face with a headset. It’s going to take a shift in philosophy - one that starts at the very top.