Just a week after the Los Angeles Rams suffered a heartbreaking NFC Championship loss, the team faces another major change. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has been hired as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, signing a five-year deal, the franchise confirmed. LaFleur’s departure marks a significant shift for the Rams, who benefited from his offensive expertise during three consecutive playoff seasons under Sean McVay.
LaFleur, 38, is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a product of the McVay-Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He joins a growing list of McVay protégés who have moved into head coaching roles, including Zac Taylor, Brandon Staley, Kevin O’Connell, and Liam Coen. While McVay has been the primary play-caller for the Rams, LaFleur played a critical role in crafting the team’s offensive strategies, helping the Rams lead the NFL in points and yards in 2025 and securing three straight playoff appearances.
LaFleur Inherits Struggling Cardinals With Uncertain Quarterback And Weak Defense
The move to Arizona presents a very different challenge. Unlike the Rams’ high-powered roster featuring Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams, LaFleur inherits a rebuilding Cardinals squad with significant questions across the roster. Arizona has not made the playoffs since 2021 and has not won a postseason game since 2015. Last season, the team finished 3-14, bottom of the NFC West, a division that produced three playoff teams, including the Rams.
Mike LaFleur (NFL)Quarterback uncertainty remains a pressing issue. Kyler Murray may have played his final game for the franchise, and veteran Jacoby Brissett is not considered a long-term solution. On the offensive side, young talents such as tight end Trey McBride and offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. offer a foundation, while the defense, ranked 29th in points allowed last season, will require major improvement. Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker could leave due to a $19.2 million cap hit in 2026, adding to the uncertainty.
LaFleur Faces Rebuilding Cardinals With Youth, Experience, And Ambition For Success
Arizona also has potential in its recent first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr., Darius Robinson, and Walter Nolen, but injuries and inconsistent performance have slowed their development. Harrison has struggled to meet expectations due to injuries, while Robinson and Nolen have struggled to get on the field. LaFleur will need to balance developing young players while implementing his offensive vision.
LaFleur brings a wealth of coaching experience despite his youth. His career dates back to 2014 with stints at the Browns, Falcons, and 49ers. He struggled initially as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2021 to 2022, but rebounded strongly in Los Angeles, proving he could handle high-level offensive management. The Cardinals are betting on that expertise as they attempt to turn around a franchise that has struggled in recent years.
The hire also sets up intriguing future matchups. LaFleur will face his former mentor, Sean McVay, twice a year in the NFC West and go head-to-head with his brother, Matt, adding extra storylines to the division. For Arizona, the hope is that LaFleur can bring structure, innovation, and leadership to a team in need of direction.
This hiring represents a bold, forward-looking decision by the Cardinals. LaFleur may be young, but his track record and pedigree give him the tools to rebuild the roster, develop young talent, and restore competitiveness to a franchise eager for success.
