Mike LaFleur

Arizona Cardinals Head Coach.

Quick Facts

• Role: Head Coach
• Team: [[Arizona Cardinals]] (ARI)
• Current holder: Mike LaFleur (younger brother of Packers HC Matt LaFleur). Hired 2026 offseason after Jonathan Gannon was fired following a 3-14 season.
• Coaching tree: McVay-Shanahan — see [[Coaching Trees]]

Background

Started his NFL career as a Browns intern in 2014 working alongside Kyle Shanahan. Spent time on McVay's and Shanahan's staffs since. Most recently three years as offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams (where Nate Scheelhaase replaced him as OC for the 2026 season).

Scheme and Tendencies

Direct McVay-Shanahan tree disciple. Hired Nathaniel Hackett as OC (former Broncos HC and Packers assistant). Drafted RB Jeremiyah Love at 1.01 of the rookie class — instant centerpiece. QB room remains a question (Kyler Murray, plus rookie Carson Beck).

Recent News

• 2026-03-09 — Dolphins’ risky Tua Tagovailoa-Malik Willis swap can be inflection point for both QBs ([[Dolphins’ risky Tua Tagovailoa-Malik Willis swap can be inflection point for both QBs]])
• 2026-05-21 — NFC offseason grades: Giants and Rams understand the assignment; NFC North leaves us... ([[NFC offseason grades: Giants and Rams understand the assignment; NFC North leaves us...]])
• 2026-05-12 — 2026 NFL All-Rookie Team: Browns, Jets dominate early predictions of first-year standouts ([[2026 NFL All-Rookie Team: Browns, Jets dominate early predictions of first-year standouts]])
• 2026-02-20 — 2026 NFL Coaching/GM Tracker: Rams Find Their Offensive Coordinator In-House ([[2026 NFL Coaching/GM Tracker: Rams Find Their Offensive Coordinator In-House]])
• 2026-02-18 — Mike LaFleur Wanted Nathaniel Hackett 'And Nobody Else' As Offensive Coordinator ([[Mike LaFleur Wanted Nathaniel Hackett 'And Nobody Else' As Offensive Coordinator]])
• 2026-05-21 — 2026 NFL Preview: The 10 New Coordinators Who Could Shape Upcoming Season ([[2026 NFL Preview: The 10 New Coordinators Who Could Shape Upcoming Season]])
• 2026-05-20 — 15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps ([[15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps]])
• 2026-03-04 — QB predictions for every NFL team: From Malik Willis sweepstakes to Flacco’s next stop... ([[QB predictions for every NFL team: From Malik Willis sweepstakes to Flacco’s next stop...]])
• 2026-04-26 — NFL beat writer 2026 mock draft 3.0: Could another QB join Fernando Mendoza in Round... ([[NFL beat writer 2026 mock draft 3.0: Could another QB join Fernando Mendoza in Round...]])
• 2026-02-23 — 2026 NFL Mock Draft: After Super Bowl LX, how might first three rounds look? - The... ([[2026 NFL Mock Draft: After Super Bowl LX, how might first three rounds look? - The...]])

Sources

• [[Worst draft ever The Athletic 2026 fantasy football dynasty mock draft]]
• [[NFL 2026 head coach cycle leaned offense (10 hires, NYT)]]
• [[Fantasy Alarm 2026 NFL head coach and coordinator tracker]]