Cardinals hire Rams offensive
coordinator Mike LaFleur as head coach
[February 02, 2026]
By DAVID BRANDT
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur as head
coach on Sunday, turning to a division rival's offensive coordinator
to try to pull the franchise out of the bottom of the NFC West.
The Cardinals' announcement of the five-year deal brought an end to
the nearly four-week hiring process.
The 38-year-old Los Angeles Rams assistant replaces Jonathan Gannon,
who was fired on Jan. 5 after a 15-36 record over three seasons,
including 3-14 this past season.
LaFleur — who is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach
Matt LaFleur — has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator for the past
three seasons.
“I couldn’t be more fired up to become the head coach of the Arizona
Cardinals and am beyond grateful to (owner) Michael (Bidwill) and
(general manager) Monti (Ossenfort) for this opportunity,” LaFleur
said in a statement.
“Having competed against them in the NFC so many times in recent
years, I know the type of talent and toughness the team has and
cannot wait to get to Arizona to hit the ground running.”
Los Angeles had the NFL’s top offense in 2025, averaging nearly 400
total yards and more than 30 points per game. The Rams fell one game
short of the Super Bowl, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 31-27 in the
NFC championship game.
The Cardinals’ brass got a good look at LaFleur’s offense twice this
past season when the Rams piled up a total of 82 points in a pair of
lopsided wins. LaFleur also was the offensive coordinator for the
New York Jets in 2021 and 2022 and worked under 49ers coach Kyle
Shanahan for several years — including in Cleveland, Atlanta and San
Francisco.
Arizona's hiring process was a quiet one, with no official team
announcements for interviews. The Cardinals reportedly talked to
several candidates, including Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint
Kubiak, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Broncos
defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
“We had the opportunity to speak with an outstanding group of
candidates during this very thorough process and gathered tremendous
insight from each of them," Bidwill said. “At the end of that
process, it was clear that Mike LaFleur possesses all the traits
necessary to lead this team to success as its head coach.”
LaFleur inherits some intriguing players on Arizona's roster,
including All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, receiver Marvin Harrison
Jr., left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and veteran edge rusher Josh
Sweat.
Arizona also has the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft.
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Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur walks on
the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks
Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
“In his career, Mike has been around some of the
best and brightest coaches in football and has been a key
contributor to highly successful teams," Ossenfort said. “He
understands what winning football looks like and what it takes to
achieve it.”
The biggest questions on the roster surround
quarterback Kyler Murray, whose future with the franchise is in
flux. The 28-year-old has played seven seasons in the desert since
being selected with the No. 1 pick in 2019 but has been to the
playoffs just once, losing in the wild-card round to the Rams in
2021.
Ossenfort — who is returning for a fourth season — shed little light
on Murray’s future after Gannon was fired.
“As it pertains to Kyler, Kyler’s under contract,” Ossenfort said in
January. “Jacoby (Brissett) is under contract. Kedon Slovis is under
contract. We just came off the last game of the year. Less than 24
hours ago, we just left the field. There will be a time and a place
for those discussions.
“When you come off a season like we’ve had, all options are on the
table.”
Murray played in just five games last season because of a foot
injury, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three
interceptions. He's in the middle of a $230.5 million, five-year
contract that could last through 2028.
Brissett started the final 12 games of the season, throwing for
3,366 yards, 23 TDs and eight interceptions but winning just one
game. He's under contract next season.
LaFleur has to rebuild the Cardinals in the NFC West, which was the
best division in football this season.
The Cardinals' 14 losses last season were more than the Rams,
Seahawks and 49ers had combined. All three of those teams made it to
the division round of the playoffs; the Seahawks will play the
Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
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