Report – Arizona Cardinals and Owner Michael Bidwill Place Near Bottom of League After Earning Brutal NFLPA Player Survey Grades

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill ranked as the second-to-worst owner in the NFL, tied with Pittsburgh’s Art Rooney. Bidwill came under fire earlier this season for forcing a blackout of a nationally televised game to make the Cardinals the only watchable regional contest in Arizona. Meanwhile, the Cardinals spent $107 million in active payroll last season, well below the Green Bay Packers for the lowest value in the NFL. Conversely, they were third in dead cap spending. Former Cardinals DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Ertz, Jordan Phillips, Isaiah Simmons, J.J. Watt, A.J. Green, Devon Kennard, and Colt McCoy accounted for $50 million in dead cap hits. 

Additionally, the organization received a grade of D+ or worse in treating families, food, and locker rooms. According to Seth Cox of Revenge of the Birds, the Cards made slight improvements after earning even worse marks last season. Cox says the team now offers childcare on gameday. As for food, players no longer must pay out of pocket to receive dinner from the team facility. However, the locker room still received an F grade. Players took exception with individual locker size and the overall size of the locker room in general. 

Jonathan Gannon: Praised by Players after First Season

Head coach Jonathan Gannon received an ‘A-‘ grade after his first season as the bench boss with the NFC West club. Despite the Arizona Cardinals finishing 4-13, the players who took the survey gave Gannon a glowing review. Arizona saw a slight improvement with Gannon at the helm but played half the season without starting quarterback Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, their one win without Murray came in a massive home upset over the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals posted a respectable 3-5 record in Murray starts, while the signal-caller threw for 1,799 yards and ten touchdowns against five picks.

The defense struggled under Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, allowing 26.8 points per game, the second-worst average in the NFL. Opposing passers threw for 3,613 yards and 32 touchdowns against 11 picks.