Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon recently expressed concern about the challenges defensive players face in improving their tackling skills under current NFL regulations. Speaking publicly, Gannon contended that the rules laid out by the league’s collective bargaining agreement limit teams’ ability to practice tackling effectively, which can impact overall defensive performance on game days.
Gannon, who is in his second season leading the Cardinals, pointed to the limited contact practices and restricted full-padded sessions as key factors that hinder player development, especially in tackling fundamentals. He emphasized that while player safety is a critical concern, the existing limitations make it difficult for coaching staffs to reinforce the techniques and physicality required for sound tackling.
“In order to get better at tackling, you have to practice tackling,” Gannon remarked. “And due to the current rules, there are significant restrictions on how much live tackling we can actually do in practice.”
Under current NFL and NFL Players Association guidelines, teams are allowed a limited number of padded practices during training camp and are prohibited from full contact during the regular season. These protocols were implemented in part to reduce injuries and to focus on player longevity and safety. However, some coaches like Gannon argue that this also creates challenges in adequately preparing defenders.
The Cardinals have faced defensive struggles this season, particularly with missed tackles contributing to big plays against them. While Gannon did not attribute all defensive issues to practice rules, he emphasized that having more time and flexibility to reinforce fundamentals during the week could be beneficial.
“Our job is to make sure our guys are as prepared as possible while following the rules,” he said. “But there’s a balance we have to strike, and right now, there are aspects that make it very tough to coach tackling the way we’d like.”
Gannon’s comments add to an ongoing conversation around how to balance safety initiatives with player development needs, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
