The Arizona Cardinals have found their next head coach-and they didn’t have to look far. After a brief detour in their search, they’re staying in the NFC West, hiring Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to lead the team into a new era.
LaFleur may not be the flashiest name among this year’s coaching carousel, but he brings with him a pedigree rooted in two of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds: Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. And now, after three seasons coordinating the Rams’ offense, he’s stepping into the spotlight in Arizona.
Who is Mike LaFleur?
If the last name rings a bell, it should. Mike is the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, making them the second active pair of head-coaching brothers in the league alongside John and Jim Harbaugh. At 38, Mike is set to become one of the younger head coaches in the NFL, but his resume is already packed with high-level experience.
LaFleur’s coaching journey started in 2014 as an intern with the Browns under then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. From there, he followed Shanahan to Atlanta, where he served as an offensive assistant during the Falcons’ high-flying 2016 season. When Shanahan took the 49ers job, LaFleur went with him again, this time stepping into the role of passing game coordinator-a title that carries real weight in Shanahan’s system.
In 2021, LaFleur branched out to take on play-calling duties as the Jets’ offensive coordinator under Robert Saleh. While the results were mixed during his two-year stint in New York, the experience added another layer to his development. After parting ways with the Jets, he landed with McVay in Los Angeles, taking over as OC and helping guide the Rams to three consecutive playoff appearances.
Why Arizona?
So why did the Cardinals zero in on LaFleur? For starters, he brings a wealth of experience from two of the most respected offensive systems in the league.
While he didn’t call plays in L.A.-McVay still held the reins-LaFleur played a key role in game-planning and quarterback development. That’s no small thing, especially when you consider how consistently effective the Rams' offense has been, even through injuries and roster turnover.
Arizona also got a front-row seat to LaFleur’s work, facing the Rams twice a year. That familiarity likely helped solidify the decision. And with the Cardinals in the midst of a rebuild, they’re betting on LaFleur’s background and offensive acumen to help develop their young roster and elevate their quarterback play.
LaFleur now becomes the latest in a growing list of McVay protégés to earn a head coaching gig. He joins a tree that already includes Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen, Zac Taylor, and his own brother Matt. It’s a testament to the kind of coaching culture McVay has built-and the league’s continued hunger for offensive innovation.
The Contract and the Road Ahead
LaFleur is signing a five-year deal with Arizona, which has become the standard length for new head coaching contracts. That gives him a runway to implement his vision and build something sustainable.
His coaching history shows a steady climb through some of the league’s most respected programs:
- 2014: Browns, Intern
- 2015-16: Falcons, Offensive Assistant
- 2017-20: 49ers, Passing Game Coordinator
- 2021-22: Jets, Offensive Coordinator
- 2023-25: Rams, Offensive Coordinator
Now, he takes the next step-leading a team of his own.
Final Thoughts
The Cardinals are betting on a coach who’s grown up in two of the NFL’s sharpest offensive households. Mike LaFleur brings with him a decade of experience, a deep understanding of modern offensive football, and a chance to shape the Cardinals’ identity from the ground up.
It won’t be easy-Arizona is still a work in progress-but this hire signals a clear direction. The Cardinals want to build around offensive continuity, quarterback development, and long-term vision.
LaFleur’s challenge? Turning all of that into wins.