The Arizona Cardinals employed Mike LaFleur as head coach on Sunday, turning to a division rival’s offensive coordinator to attempt to pull the franchise from the underside of the NFC West. The Cardinals’ announcement introduced an finish to an almost four-week hiring course of.
The 38-year-old Los Angeles Rams assistant replaces Jonathan Gannon, who was fired in January after compiling a 15-36 report over three seasons, together with 3-14 final 12 months. LaFleur – who’s the youthful brother of Inexperienced Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur – has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons.
Los Angeles had the NFL’s high offense in 2025, averaging practically 400 whole yards and greater than 30 factors per sport. The Rams fell one sport in need of the Tremendous Bowl, shedding to the Seattle Seahawks 31-27 within the NFC championship sport.
“I couldn’t be extra fired as much as develop into the top coach of the Arizona Cardinals and am past grateful to [owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort] for this chance,” LaFleur stated in a press release launched by the Cardinals. “Having competed towards them within the NFC so many occasions in recent times, I do know the kind of expertise and toughness the group has and can’t wait to get to Arizona to hit the bottom working.”
The Cardinals’ brass bought a very good have a look at LaFleur’s offense twice this previous season when the Rams piled up a complete of 82 factors in a pair of lopsided wins. LaFleur additionally was the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 2021 and 2022 and labored beneath 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan for a number of years – together with in Cleveland, Atlanta and San Francisco.
LaFleur inherits some intriguing items on Arizona’s roster, together with All-Professional tight finish Trey McBride, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr, left sort out Paris Johnson Jr and veteran edge rusher Josh Sweat. Arizona even have the No 3 total decide in April’s draft.
“In his profession, Mike has been round a number of the finest and brightest coaches in soccer and has been a key contributor to extremely profitable groups,” Ossenfort stated. “He understands what profitable soccer appears like and what it takes to realize it.”
However the greatest questions encompass quarterback Kyler Murray, whose future with the franchise is in flux. The 28-year-old has performed seven seasons within the desert since being chosen with the No 1 decide in 2019 however has been to the playoffs simply as soon as, shedding within the wildcard spherical to the Rams in 2021.
Murray performed in simply 5 video games final season due to a foot damage, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s in the midst of a $230.5m, five-year contract that would final by way of 2028.
Backup Jacoby Brissett began the ultimate 12 video games of the season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 TDs and eight interceptions however profitable only one sport. He’s beneath contract subsequent season.
LaFleur has to rebuild the Cardinals within the NFC West, which was one of the best division in soccer this season; the Cardinals’ 14 losses final season had been greater than the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers had mixed. All three of these groups made it to the division spherical of the playoffs; the Seahawks will play for the Tremendous Bowl on 8 February.
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