The Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach for the 2026 NFL season, with Mike LaFleur taking over the franchise following the departure of Jonathan Gannon.
LaFleur, one of the NFL’s well-known offensive coaching minds, arrives in Arizona after spending three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. The Cardinals hired LaFleur on February 1, 2026, giving him his first opportunity to serve as an NFL head coach.
With Arizona entering another important rebuilding phase, LaFleur will be tasked with establishing a new offensive identity and turning the Cardinals back into a competitive NFC West team.
Who Is Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur?
Mike LaFleur is the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, beginning with the 2026 NFL season.
Born March 12, 1987, LaFleur has spent more than a decade climbing the NFL coaching ranks, with much of his experience coming in offensive systems associated with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
Before becoming Arizona’s head coach, LaFleur served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2023 through the 2025 season.
The Cardinals job represents the first head-coaching position of LaFleur’s NFL career.
Mike LaFleur Coaching History
LaFleur has worked with several NFL organizations during his coaching career:
- Cleveland Browns (2014): Offensive intern
- Atlanta Falcons (2015–2016): Offensive assistant
- San Francisco 49ers (2017–2020): Wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator
- New York Jets (2021–2022): Offensive coordinator
- Los Angeles Rams (2023–2025): Offensive coordinator
- Arizona Cardinals (2026–present): Head coach
His time with the 49ers put him alongside Kyle Shanahan, while his three seasons in Los Angeles allowed him to work closely with Sean McVay.
Those experiences helped establish LaFleur as a candidate for NFL head-coaching opportunities.
Why Did the Cardinals Hire Mike LaFleur?
Arizona’s decision to hire LaFleur signals a greater emphasis on offensive development and quarterback play.
The Cardinals finished the 2025 NFL season with a 3–14 record, leading the organization to make another change at head coach.
LaFleur brings extensive experience working within variations of the Shanahan-McVay offensive system, which typically emphasizes pre-snap motion, play-action passing, route combinations and creating favorable matchups for offensive playmakers.
Arizona will now hope LaFleur can translate his experience as a coordinator into success as a head coach.
Mike LaFleur Takes Over a New-Look Cardinals Team
LaFleur isn’t simply inheriting the same Cardinals roster from the previous regime.
Arizona underwent significant changes during the 2026 offseason, including at quarterback.
Longtime Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was released in March 2026, officially ending his run with the organization.
Arizona later selected former Miami quarterback Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, giving LaFleur a young quarterback to potentially develop as part of the Cardinals’ long-term plans.
That makes LaFleur’s offensive background particularly important as Arizona attempts to build its next competitive roster.
Mike LaFleur Makes Cardinals Debut in 2026 Hall of Fame Game
LaFleur gets his first opportunity to lead the Cardinals from the sideline when Arizona faces the Carolina Panthers in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 6.
Because the matchup is a preseason game, the result will not count toward LaFleur’s official regular-season coaching record.
However, the Hall of Fame Game provides the first public look at the systems, personnel decisions and coaching philosophy of Arizona’s new regime.
It also gives LaFleur and his staff an additional preseason game to evaluate the Cardinals roster before the regular season begins.
Is Mike LaFleur Related to Matt LaFleur?
Yes. Mike LaFleur is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Both brothers have built successful NFL coaching careers, although they followed slightly different paths.
Matt LaFleur became Green Bay’s head coach in 2019, while Mike spent several additional seasons working as an offensive assistant and coordinator before receiving his first head-coaching opportunity with Arizona in 2026.
The LaFleur brothers are now both NFL head coaches.
Who Did Mike LaFleur Replace in Arizona?
Mike LaFleur replaced Jonathan Gannon, who had served as the Cardinals’ head coach since 2023.
Arizona’s struggles during the 2025 season ultimately prompted another coaching change, opening the door for LaFleur to take over the organization.
The Cardinals are hoping their new coach can provide greater stability while developing the young talent on Arizona’s roster.
What to Expect From the Cardinals Under Mike LaFleur
Arizona’s offense will be one of the biggest storylines to follow during LaFleur’s first season.
His background suggests the Cardinals could feature an offense built around movement, play-action concepts, timing and creating space for receivers after the catch.
But LaFleur’s responsibilities are considerably broader now.
Rather than focusing exclusively on offense, he must oversee the entire roster, manage his coaching staff and establish the culture of the organization.
The 2026 season will therefore represent an important new chapter for both Mike LaFleur and the Arizona Cardinals.