The Arizona Cardinals have a rare-but welcome-dilemma on their hands: two offensive minds in the building with play-calling experience, but just one headset on game day.
Newly hired offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur made it clear in his introductory press conference that he’ll be the one calling the shots. That’s despite the team also bringing in veteran play-caller Nathaniel Hackett, who joins the staff with a deep résumé of his own. It’s not often a team lands two coaches with such strong backgrounds in designing and directing NFL offenses, but that’s exactly where Arizona finds itself.
Let’s take a step back. The Cardinals’ offense, on paper, has the pieces.
Wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Jones, and Michael Wilson offer a mix of explosiveness, route-running, and size. Tight end Trey McBride is coming off a Pro Bowl season and looks like a foundational piece.
In the backfield, James Conner brings veteran toughness, and rookie Trey Benson adds fresh legs and upside. At quarterback, Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett provide a one-two punch of athleticism and experience.
And up front, there’s a solid core with tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams, center Hjalte Froholdt, and guard Will Hernandez.
But potential doesn’t win games-execution does. And last season, the Cardinals struggled to keep their offense on the field, let alone in rhythm.
Injuries ravaged the unit. Fourteen offensive players landed on season-ending injured reserve, including both starting tackles and the top two running backs.
Even Harrison, the rookie phenom, missed time. The result?
An offense that never got the chance to truly gel.
Enter Hackett and LaFleur.
Hackett brings a wealth of experience. He’s served as offensive coordinator for four different NFL teams and was the Denver Broncos’ head coach in 2022.
Most recently, he was the OC for the New York Jets, stepping in after Mike LaFleur’s departure when the team parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh. Hackett’s coaching tree traces back to the West Coast system, heavily influenced by Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan.
That’s the same offensive lineage LaFleur comes from, so there’s a natural synergy between the two.
Hackett’s offenses are known for their motion-heavy looks, zone-blocking schemes, and an emphasis on yards after the catch. He’s not just a scheme guy-he’s a high-energy coach with a sharp football mind.
During his stint in Green Bay from 2019 to 2021, he worked closely with Matt LaFleur (Mike’s older brother) and developed a strong rapport with Aaron Rodgers. Hackett was a key figure in the Packers’ offensive resurgence during that stretch, often serving as Matt’s eyes in the sky on game day and playing a major role in weekly game planning.
So, with Hackett’s résumé, it was fair to wonder: would he be the one calling plays in Arizona?
LaFleur put that question to bed quickly. “Yes.
Yes, I will call the plays,” he said without hesitation. After spending three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles under Sean McVay-who handles play-calling duties himself-LaFleur admitted he missed being in the driver’s seat on Sundays.
He’s ready to take the reins again, and it’s a role he clearly relishes.
LaFleur has experience calling plays from his time with the Jets, where he helped guide the team to a 7-4 start at one point. While things didn’t end the way he or the team hoped, his ability to script and adjust during games earned respect around the league. Now, with a more complete offensive arsenal and a fresh start in Arizona, he gets another shot to prove what he can do with a full deck.
Hackett, meanwhile, becomes a valuable asset in the game-planning process. His deep understanding of the West Coast philosophy and his history with LaFleur’s family tree make him an ideal right-hand man. He may not be calling the plays, but don’t underestimate his impact behind the scenes.
It’s worth noting how the role of play-calling has evolved in the NFL. Decades ago, quarterbacks called their own plays in the huddle.
That started to shift in the 1960s, with legendary Browns coach Paul Brown pioneering the idea of sending in plays from the sideline. Since then, the responsibility has largely fallen to coaches-often offensive coordinators or head coaches with a background on that side of the ball.
Today, many of the league’s top offensive minds-McVay, Shanahan, Andy Reid, Kevin Stefanski, and Matt LaFleur among them-call their own plays. It’s become a signature trait of modern offensive head coaches. In Arizona’s case, head coach Jonathan Gannon is a defensive guy, so the offensive play-caller holds even more weight.
With LaFleur at the helm and Hackett in the lab, the Cardinals are setting themselves up for a much-needed offensive reset. The talent is there.
The minds are in place. Now it’s about staying healthy, building chemistry, and letting the play-caller cook.