The Arizona Cardinals have hired Mike LaFleur as their next head coach, finalizing a five-year contract with the former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator. The decision ends a month-long search following the firing of Jonathan Gannonearlier in January.
LaFleur, 38, comes to Arizona with extensive experience in offensive systems led by some of the league’s most respected minds. He spent the last three seasons coordinating the Rams’ offense under head coach Sean McVay, helping guide a unit that ranked among the NFL’s best in scoring, passing, and total yardage. Before that, he served as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets and worked four years on the San Francisco 49ers staff.
LaFleur’s hiring continues a trend of former McVay assistants advancing into head coaching roles across the league. He becomes the fourth of McVay’s offensive coordinators to land an NFL head coaching job.
The Cardinals had also interviewed Klint Kubiak, the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, but shifted to LaFleur after Kubiak emerged as a leading candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders position.
LaFleur inherits a team coming off a 3–14 season with significant questions surrounding its offense and the future of quarterback Kyler Murray, whose contract guarantees could shape the franchise’s next steps. The Cardinals currently hold the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and are looking to rebound quickly in the competitive NFC West, where the division’s other three teams all reached the playoffs last season.
Known for his adaptable play-calling and quarterback development, LaFleur will now be tasked with reviving Arizona’s offense, which dropped to 19th in league rankings last year after finishing 11th the season before. The team’s leadership has expressed confidence that his creative approach and experience in high-powered systems can bring a new identity to the franchise.
LaFleur, the younger brother of Matt LaFleur, now begins assembling his staff as Arizona looks to turn the page on a difficult season and regain footing in one of football’s toughest divisions.
For more team updates, visit the Arizona Cardinals official site.
