Jonathan Gannon’s fiery sideline behavior may cause some union problems.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is examining whether the Arizona coach’s reaction Sunday after running back Emari Demercado let go of the ball before scoring, resulting in a touchback that loomed large in an embarrassing 22-21 loss to winless Tennessee, is worth investigating, per USA Today.
The union has not yet launched an investigation but is examining the situation, in which Gannon seemed to hit the running back at least once.
Demercado’s fumble took what could have been a likely game-sealing touchdown off the board, and the Titans rallied to stun the Cardinals for their first win of the year.
Gannon has since apologized to the running back for his actions.
“I just told [the team], I kind of let the moment of what happened get the better of me there,” Gannon said Monday, according to ESPN. “Obviously, I try to be emotionally stable and calm because my job is to solve problems during a game and lead the charge on that. So, it’s not really who I am, who I want to be, and I told the guys that today.
“So, it’s a mistake by me, and it’s just like everybody in there, everybody made some type of mistake yesterday, which culminates to why we didn’t win the game, and we can’t let it happen moving forward.”
It appears the issue at hand is whether Gannon struck the running back after his mistake, with former Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians receiving a $50,000 fine for doing so in 2022.
Demercado had a chance to seal the game when he ran 72 yards in a 21-6 contest with a little less than 13 minutes remaining, but he instead let go of the ball before entering the end zone.
The ball went out of the end zone for a touchback.
A video emerged showing Gannon on the sideline approaching the running back, whose body moves backward after seemingly taking a shot to the chest while the coach addressed him.
Gannon may have then struck Demercado’s shoulder pads while he walked past him.
Tennessee rallied for the final 16 points of the game for the stunning road upset.
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“I just thought it was a big play in the game that it needs to be executed,” Gannon said, per ESPN. “I’ve seen us do that before, execute those things, and we hold our hat on standard operating procedures about the ball, and I just would’ve liked to see it execute a little bit better there.”
Gannon reportedly said that Demercado won’t face punishment for his blunder, and he did not bench him in the game after the mistake.
The Cardinals have now lost three straight since a 2-0 start and will try to get on track Sunday in Indianapolis when they face Daniel Jones and the Colts.