GLENDALE – Tuesday was a celebration for the Arizona Cardinals, introducing new head coach Mike LaFleur to the Valley. Once the festivities ended, LaFleur went right to work to fill out his staff. Nathaniel Hackett is already hired to be the offensive coordinator, and the franchise has requested an interview with Los Angeles Rams assistant coach Aubrey Pleasant for the defensive coordinator role.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!LaFleur and Pleasant both worked under McVay last season, and now the Cardinals coach is looking to give him a promotion to DC.
Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant reacts after a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Cardinals request interview with Pleasant:
Pleasant is a former four-year Wisconsin Badgers defensive back. At Madison, he recorded 80 tackles, 50 of which were solo and had two sacks. He went undrafted in the 2009 draft and immediately went into coaching. At first, Pleasant started at the high school level, but quickly joined his hometown program with the Michigan Wolverine.
Two years as a Wolverine earned him his first NFL opportunity with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching intern. His time in Cleveland lasted only a year before jumping ships to the Washington Commanders as a defensive quality control coach. That stint earned him his first opportunity with the Rams under McVay as the cornerback coach.
Nov 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant on the sidelines during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
After the 2020 season, Pleasant went to the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, but remained in those places for a short stint. He made his return to Los Angeles in 2023 as the defensive passing game coordinator, a role he maintained to this day. Pleasant’s return matches up nearly perfectly to LaFleur’s arrival with the Rams, which is why the Cardinals coach could be looking to bring in the 38-year-old.
Cardinals hire Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator for 2026
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
