Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon hints NFL rules play role in team's poor tackling woes this season

The "NFL on FOX" crew recapped Week 15 in the NFL, including injuries to stars, the Los Angeles Rams' strong play, Philip Rivers' return and more.

The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in another season without the playoffs, and while it was due to close games not going their way, it’s been a slog ever since.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon’s team has been declining on defense, as they’ve allowed 40 or more points in four of their last six games, all of which have been losses.

One of the main culprits defensively is the Cardinals’ lack of tackling prowess, ranking 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 that NFL rules have a part to play in his team’s struggles in that field.

"How the rules are set up, it’s hard to get better as a tackler being in the NFL, I’ll say that" Gannon said, per 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 tackling was a topic of conversation among his staff this week.

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He added that the Cardinals have tackling drills at 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-most in the league.

The league, however, does limit padded