Vance Joseph, Mike LaFleur Among Top Contenders for Cardinals Head Coaching Job
GLENDALE - As the Arizona Cardinals continue their search for a new head coach, one name has emerged with a strong sense of familiarity: Vance Joseph. The current Denver Broncos defensive coordinator has deep ties to the franchise, and that connection has made him a leading candidate in the early stages of the hiring process. But despite the buzz around Joseph, he’s far from the only name in the mix.
NFL insider Ari Meirov recently shed some light on the broader picture during a conversation with PHNX Cardinals, and one name he emphasized was Mike LaFleur - the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator. LaFleur, who’s spent time under both Sean McVay and previously with the New York Jets, is reportedly eager to make the jump to a head coaching role.
“He does a lot of work in L.A.,” Meirov said. “He doesn’t call the plays - that’s Sean McVay’s job - but he’s very, very important there.
He learned a lot from that experience with the Jets, which was a tough situation. He goes back to McVay, and it’s a whole new life for him.
If you get him now, it might be bumpy at the beginning, but eventually these guys figure it out.”
LaFleur was actually an early favorite for the Cardinals job when the position first opened, according to BetOnline. While the odds have shifted since then, his name hasn’t faded from the conversation. Like Joseph, LaFleur is preparing for a conference championship game this weekend - a factor that could directly impact the timing and availability of both candidates.
If either the Broncos or Rams are eliminated on Sunday, the door could open wider for that coach to engage more seriously with Arizona. With five of the 10 open head coaching positions around the league already filled, the window is starting to close - and LaFleur knows it.
At 38 years old, LaFleur is part of a Rams coaching staff that’s quickly becoming a hotbed for NFL head coaching talent. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula is reportedly in the running for the Steelers job, while passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is drawing strong interest from the Browns. That kind of internal competition could add urgency to LaFleur’s own pursuit of a top job.
For the Cardinals, hiring LaFleur would mean tapping into the ever-expanding McVay coaching tree - a group that already includes Zac Taylor, Kevin O’Connell, and Liam Coen. Each has found success leading their own teams after working under McVay, and Arizona could look to replicate that blueprint as it tries to find stable footing in a tough NFC West.
There’s no shortage of intrigue around the Cardinals’ next move. Whether they lean on familiarity with Vance Joseph or take a swing on offensive innovation with Mike LaFleur, the decision will shape the next chapter of the franchise - one that desperately needs direction and identity.