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).
2026 Outlook
LaFleur focused on maximizing QB development without forcing early decisions. Brissett's ongoing contract holdout gives Minshew and Beck real opportunity to earn snaps in training camp and preseason. LaFleur stated as of late June that he "hasn't even thought about the quarterback competition," viewing it as premature before full training camp. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett taking lead on QB development with methodical approach emphasizing footwork and timing. With elite weapons (Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, Jeremiyah Love) already in place, LaFleur's main focus is system installation and QB development. First season under new regime with elevated expectations after 3-14 record under prior staff. (per Cardinals rookie Carson Beck addresses QB competition for 2026)
Recent News
- 2026-05-25 — 2026 NFL Trade Block (2026 NFL Trade Block)
- 2026-05-12 — What we learned from every NFL team during 2026 rookie minicamp debuts (What we learned from every NFL team during 2026 rookie minicamp debuts)
- 2026-04-24 — 2026 NFL live draft updates: Pros, cons for all Round 1 picks (2026 NFL live draft updates: Pros, cons for all Round 1 picks)
- 2026-06-29 — 2026 NFL rookie updates: Tracking all first-round draft picks (2026 NFL rookie updates: Tracking all first-round draft picks)
- 2026-05-02 — Ranking each team's 2026 NFL Draft class: Chiefs, Browns, Jets crush it; Steelers,... (Ranking each team's 2026 NFL Draft class: Chiefs, Browns, Jets crush it; Steelers,...)
- 2026-06-08 — Browns QB battle, Patrick Mahomes’ recovery among top NFL minicamp storylines - The... (Browns QB battle, Patrick Mahomes’ recovery among top NFL minicamp storylines - The...)
- 2026-07-06 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Commanders Add CB With 21 Career Interceptions (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Commanders Add CB With 21 Career Interceptions)
- 2026-07-13 — Ranking the greatest NFL coaches of all time: Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi battle... (Ranking the greatest NFL coaches of all time: Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi battle...)
- 2026-03-25 — NFL free agency grades 2026: The good, bad and ugly of key deals - The Athletic (NFL free agency grades 2026: The good, bad and ugly of key deals - The Athletic)
- 2026-05-20 — 15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps (15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps)
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