In the world of sports, relationships are often the secret sauce that binds everything together, adding a rich layer of camaraderie and trust. This couldn’t be truer than for the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, Jonathan Gannon, as he finds himself in a familiar and comfortable environment during joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts. And why’s that? It all boils down to his close connection with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, a bond forged during their time as coordinators with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 to 2022.
It’s always easier to navigate new situations when you’ve got a friend by your side, and for Gannon, this week in Indianapolis feels like a homecoming of sorts. The two coaches transitioned to their respective head coaching roles in 2023, and this reunion is just as much about rekindling a friendship as it is about sharpening their teams' competitive edges. Gannon shared that upon arriving in Indianapolis, he and Steichen wasted no time in catching up over dinner, where the evening quickly transformed into a mini strategy session.
Imagine this: you walk into a restaurant expecting a casual meal, but the next thing you know, your buddy has whipped out a PowerPoint presentation, detailing the plans for the week. That’s exactly what happened to Gannon. "As soon as we all packed in that restaurant, he put up a PowerPoint. ‘This is where we’re going, this is what we’re doing,’" Gannon recounted with a laugh. "He’s very detailed. I’m like, ‘Whoa, let me get a notebook.’ He just goes about his business and goes to work. I had to learn more detail to keep up."
This little anecdote perfectly encapsulates Steichen’s meticulous nature—a trait that has undoubtedly contributed to his success. It also highlights the mutual respect and admiration between these two coaches. For Gannon, getting to know Steichen on such a personal level made the decision to hold joint practices with the Colts an absolute no-brainer.
“He’s as good as they come,” Gannon remarked before Wednesday’s practice. Now, if you’ve been following NFL joint practices, you know that they can sometimes get a bit... heated. Fights break out, tempers flare, and things can quickly spiral out of control. But Gannon isn’t worried about that happening here. He’s confident that the practices will be productive and free of unnecessary distractions, thanks to his trust in how Steichen runs his team.
“We’re gonna get good work in and not have those distractions because I know how he runs his team. I know how we practice, how they practice. It just meshed up,” Gannon said. “Really good football team, so it’s good for us to come get some good work in.”
One of the key reasons Gannon is so comfortable with these practices is Steichen’s approach to communication and teaching. Over their two years together with the Eagles, Gannon learned a great deal from Steichen, not just about football, but about leadership and relationship-building. Steichen has that elusive "it" factor—a combination of charisma, intelligence, and the ability to connect with players and staff on a deeper level.
“He’s a great communicator and a great teacher,” Gannon added. “I learned a lot of ball in two years from Shane. Just how he thinks about the game. The relationship he has with the players, how he thinks about the staff. We worked for a really good boss with Coach (Nick) Sirianni, and we were kinda in the foxhole together.”
That shared experience, being "in the foxhole" together, has created a bond that goes beyond the X’s and O’s of football. It’s about trust, respect, and a shared vision for what it takes to build a successful team.
When it comes to the Cardinals’ approach to these practices, Gannon’s message is clear: stick to the fundamentals, play with enthusiasm, and give it your all against a formidable opponent. “Do what you’re coached to do. Play with great enthusiasm, effort vs. a really good defense that plays very different than we do,” Gannon emphasized. But what really makes the Colts an ideal practice partner? It’s all about the differences in their style of play.
“That was one of the reasons this was a perfect team to come joint against because they play different on offense and they play different on defense than us,” Gannon explained. “We’re gonna play teams that play like this. So it would be good to put our staples and our stuff against different people and different schematics too, so excited about that.”
Gannon is particularly impressed with the way the Colts’ defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, operates. Bradley, known for his strategic acumen, has built a defense that’s disciplined, well-coached, and tough to crack. “Gus Bradley does a really good job with how they teach and how they coach; how everything ties together with the front that they play. So I’m looking forward to it,” Gannon noted.
The opportunity to practice against a team that does things differently provides the Cardinals with a valuable learning experience. It’s a chance to test their strategies, adapt to new challenges, and refine their approach as they gear up for the season ahead. This isn’t just about getting reps in—it’s about growth, both for the players and the coaching staff.
Joint practices like these are a unique aspect of the NFL preseason. They offer teams the chance to face off against unfamiliar opponents in a controlled environment, giving them a sneak peek at how they’ll fare against different styles of play. For the Cardinals, this week in Indianapolis is more than just practice—it’s a crucial step in their preparation for the battles to come.
In the end, what makes these practices truly special is the underlying relationship between Gannon and Steichen. It’s a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared passion for the game. And as they lead their teams through these joint practices, that bond will undoubtedly be reflected in the intensity, focus, and spirit with which their players take the field.
So, as the Cardinals and Colts go head-to-head in these joint practices, it’s not just about the X’s and O’s. It’s about two coaches who have walked the same path, faced the same challenges, and now stand on the sidelines as leaders of their respective teams. It’s about the power of relationships in sports—the connections that turn a simple practice session into something much more meaningful. And for Jonathan Gannon, that’s what makes this week in Indianapolis feel just right.
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