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The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in another season without the playoffs, and even if it was because of close games that didn’t go their way, it’s been tough ever since.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon’s team has been down on defense as they have allowed 40 or more points in four of their last six games, all of which have been losses.
One of the biggest culprits defensively is the Cardinals’ lack of tackle ability, which ranks the lowest of any team in the NFL in that category, per Pro Football Focus.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon pauses before answering a question during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
But Gannon believes NFL rules have a role to play in his team’s struggles on that field.
“The way the rules are set up, it’s hard to get better as a tackle in the NFL, I’ll say that,” Gannon told ESPN.
With many missed tackles on tape in the 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans this past week, marking 11 losses in their last 12 games, Gannon told reporters that tackling was a topic of conversation among his staff this week.
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He added that the Cardinals have tackle drills in practice, but believes there is “no drill you can do that can mimic a game.”
ESPN Research found that the Cardinals have allowed 40 rushes of at least five yards after first contact, which ranks third in the league.
However, the league limits padded practices to just 14 during the regular season, with 11 of those must be in the first 11 weeks of the season. This is per the league’s collective bargaining agreement for 2020.
With players needing to hone their skills in the tackling department and little opportunity to do so, Gannon sees the lack of development opportunities with his team.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“The rules are the rules,” Gannon replied when asked if he would like to see those rules changed.
Gannon even said it’s like telling PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler he can’t practice his wedges.
“It’s set up the way it’s set up, it’s fine,” Gannon explained. “But to get better at a skill, you have to practice the skill. You practice the skill, you can scale it, you can scale the tempo, you can scale how you do it, but to practice a skill, you have to practice the skill.
“So that’s a conundrum I think all defensive guys face, and there’s a risk-reward in trying to practice with that, no matter how you set things up.”
Of course, every team is in the same position as the Cardinals with the league-wide rules.
“A lot of people think you can’t practice it, you’d better just get people who can tackle because you’re not going to help them at all,” Gannon added. “It’s also a thought process. To each their own. But it’s a challenge.”
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With a 3-11 record and no playoff berth in sight, the Cardinals are evaluating everyone on their roster in these remaining three games, with Gannon and the rest of the staff hoping the tackle, and all phases, improve to snap their losing streak.
It starts with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, who possess one of the most explosive running backs in the league, Bijan Robinson.
