GLENDALE – The 44th head coach in Arizona Cardinals history comes from the Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay coaching tree. Mike LaFleur was announced by the team to be the next head coach heading into 2026, making him the seventh McVay assistant or coordinator to be an NFL head coach. Other Rams offensive coordinators to get jobs are Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell and Liam Coen.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!That group, like Mike LaFleur, held the title of OC but wasn’t the offensive play caller. Will the Cardinals head coach struggle in that department early in his tenure?
Aug 14, 2025; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur reacts during a joint practice at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
LaFleur’s history as a play caller:
Typically, the offensive coordinator is the play caller for the offense, with Drew Petzing being an example for Cardinals last year. However, McVay and his proteges have all called the offensive plays at head coach, going against traditional. LaFleur will likely to the same with the franchise, which is an era he has experience in.
In his 20’s, LaFleur was the offensive coordinator at Saint Joseph’s and Davidson, before making the jump to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. It wouldn’t be until 2021 he would get his first NFL OC job from the New York Jets. His two-season stint in the Big Apple wasn’t successful, calling the 28th and 29th scoring offense. An argument could be made about the lack of talent at quarterback, but still, the production wasn’t up to par.
Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left) and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The last time a Cardinals head coach was the main offensive play caller was Kliff Kingsbury. In his four-year tenure, Kingsburg has the 16th, 13th, 11th and 21st scoring offense. Those were due to the play of quarterback Kyler Murray, whose status for 2026 is unclear at this time. If LaFleur is taking over the play calling, keeping a two-time Pro Bowler under center could avoid those same dips in New York.
What LaFleur’s hiring means for Cardinals’ Harrison and Wilson in 2026
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
