The Arizona Cardinals are zeroing in on their next head coach - and all signs point to Mike LaFleur. According to reports, the team is in the process of finalizing a five-year deal with the Rams’ offensive coordinator, marking the final head coaching vacancy to be filled this cycle. With the Raiders expected to bring in Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak after the Super Bowl, the coaching carousel is coming to a close - and LaFleur is stepping into one of the more intriguing opportunities in the league.
Arizona brought LaFleur in for a second interview on January 26, and clearly, that conversation sealed the deal. At just 38 years old, LaFleur has quietly built one of the more diverse and well-rounded résumés among young offensive minds in the NFL.
His journey started all the way back in 2009 as an offensive assistant at Elmhurst, before stops at Saint Joseph’s and Davidson helped him build a foundation in the college game. But it didn’t take long for the NFL to come calling.
LaFleur broke into the league with the Browns in 2013 as an intern, and from there, he climbed the ladder quickly. He spent two seasons in Atlanta, gaining valuable experience in a high-powered offense, before heading to San Francisco to coach wide receivers. By 2020, Kyle Shanahan had promoted him to passing game coordinator - a title that speaks volumes in a 49ers system that’s known for its complexity and creativity through the air.
In 2021, LaFleur landed his first offensive coordinator gig with the New York Jets, where he was tasked with helping develop a young quarterback and instill a modern offensive identity. While the Jets’ offense had its ups and downs during his tenure, LaFleur’s schematic approach and ability to design plays that create space didn’t go unnoticed around the league.
That led to a fresh opportunity in 2024, when Sean McVay brought him on as the Rams’ offensive coordinator. In Los Angeles, LaFleur worked under one of the league’s most innovative minds and helped guide a Rams offense that blended tempo, motion, and precision - hallmarks of the McVay coaching tree.
Now, he gets his shot to run the show in Arizona.
The Cardinals are betting on LaFleur’s pedigree, his offensive vision, and his ability to connect with players - especially as they look to get the most out of their current roster. It’s a pivotal hire for a franchise that’s searching for stability and a new identity on the sidelines. With LaFleur, they’re getting a coach who’s been shaped by some of the sharpest minds in the game and who’s ready to put his own stamp on a team.
We’ll continue to track developments as the Cardinals finalize the deal, but one thing’s clear: Mike LaFleur is stepping into the spotlight, and Arizona is handing him the keys to the future.