Sean McVay and Mike LaFleur will share the same sideline history when the Arizona Cardinals meet the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Week 6, but neither coach is turning this into a personal showcase.
LaFleur, now the Cardinals’ head coach, spent time on McVay’s staff as offensive coordinator before landing his current job. This will be his first chance to go against his former boss, yet both coaches have made it clear they’re keeping the focus on the game itself.
McVay said Thursday that the relationship is still there, even if the week has been too busy for a longer conversation so far.
“Mike and I talk a lot," said McVay. "I haven't talked to him yet this week just because it's been busier than normal, but I will talk to him at some point.
I love Mike, and it's about the Rams versus the Cardinals. We're going to try to get after him as good as we can this week, but there's a lot of good tape.
He's done a great job there. We miss him a lot here, but we're happy for Mike.”
LaFleur, asked Wednesday about coming back to SoFi, gave a similarly low-key answer.
“Just based off this last Sunday, outside of just seeing their jerseys and knowing who this team is, as much as I love Sean, I haven’t really thought of him too much," he said. "I’m sure he’s kind of feeling the same way about me right now.”
The Rams have had the upper hand in this matchup for years, going 16-3 against the Cardinals since 2017, with one of those wins coming in the playoffs.
So while this is a reunion on paper, the real test is whether LaFleur can be the one to finally get the better of McVay. It will also be his first matchup against McVay outside of working as a position coach.
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