Arizona Cardinals' new head coach, Mike LaFleur, is making waves with his decision to bring Nathaniel Hackett on board as the offensive coordinator. Despite some skepticism surrounding Hackett, LaFleur is unwavering in his choice.
"He's been very successful and highly regarded in our profession," LaFleur confidently stated. "If there's one thing to take away from this, it's that I wanted him and nobody else. And he's here."
Hackett's journey in the NFL is extensive. He kicked off his offensive coordinator career with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 after his stint with Syracuse. Before his brief head coaching role with the Denver Broncos in 2022, Hackett was the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2019 to 2021, working under LaFleur's brother, Matt.
Hackett's recent years have been a rollercoaster. His tenure with the Broncos lasted just 15 games, and while he joined the New York Jets as offensive coordinator in 2023, he lost play-calling duties in 2024 when Jeff Ulbrich stepped in as interim coach.
"I've known Hack for years, and his time with Green Bay and my brother was crucial to their early success," LaFleur shared. "Landing him is a great opportunity for us."
As the 2026 season approaches, LaFleur will take on the role of offensive play-caller for the Cardinals. This marks his return to play-calling since his days as the Jets' offensive coordinator from 2021 to 2022.
The starting quarterback for Week 1 remains uncertain. Kyler Murray, who inked a massive five-year, $230.5-million extension in 2022, was limited to five games last season due to a foot injury.
The Cardinals are reportedly considering trading him this offseason. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett, who led the team in 2025, is still under contract for another year.
LaFleur and Hackett aim to rejuvenate an Arizona offense that struggled last year, ranking 29th in scoring. Hackett spent the 2025 season as an analyst for the Packers, readying himself for this new challenge.