The Arizona Cardinals are zeroing in on their next head coach, and Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is firmly in the mix. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, LaFleur is set for a second, in-person interview with the team on Monday and Tuesday - a strong sign that he’s among the finalists for the job.
LaFleur, 38, has quietly built a résumé that’s earned respect across the league. His coaching journey started in 2009 at Elmhurst as an offensive assistant, a far cry from the NFL spotlight.
From there, he worked his way through the college ranks at Saint Joseph’s and Davidson before landing a role with the Cleveland Browns in 2013 as an intern. That was his entry point into the league, and he hasn’t looked back since.
After two seasons with the Falcons, LaFleur joined Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco, where he served as the 49ers’ wide receivers coach and later ascended to passing game coordinator in 2020. That promotion put him on the radar as a rising offensive mind, and the Jets brought him in as their offensive coordinator in 2021. Fast forward to 2024, and Sean McVay tapped him to run the Rams’ offense - a move that helped LaFleur further refine his system under one of the league’s most innovative head coaches.
Now, he's a finalist for the top job in Arizona, and he’s not alone. The Cardinals have cast a wide net in their search, and the list of candidates reflects a mix of defensive and offensive minds with varying levels of experience.
Finalists currently scheduled for second interviews include:
- Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
- Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur
Other candidates who’ve been in the mix:
- Bills OC Joe Brady (interviewed)
- Chiefs OC Matt Nagy (interviewed)
- Broncos DC Vance Joseph (requested)
- Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown (requested)
- Rams DC Chris Shula (requested)
- Texans DC Matt Burke (requested)
- 49ers DC Robert Saleh (now with the Titans)
- Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak (has withdrawn)
- Steelers OC Arthur Smith (now at Ohio State)
This hiring cycle is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing in recent years, with Arizona leaning into a broad evaluation process. They’re clearly looking for someone who can bring both leadership and a clear vision - and LaFleur’s offensive pedigree, shaped under Shanahan and McVay, gives him a compelling case.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this develops, especially as LaFleur heads into his second meeting with the team. For a franchise looking to reset and build around young talent, his name is one to watch.