Cardinals have appointed Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach
The Arizona Cardinals appointed Mike LaFleur, the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, as their new head coach on Sunday.
The Cardinals announced that LaFleur has signed a five-year contract.
LaFleur, approaching his 39th birthday in March, spent the last three seasons with the Rams. He is the younger sibling of Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.
“I am incredibly excited to take on the role of head coach for the Arizona Cardinals and deeply appreciate Michael (Bidwill) and Monti (Ossenfort) for this amazing opportunity,” LaFleur expressed regarding the owner and general manager, respectively. “Having faced them in the NFC numerous times in recent years, I understand the level of talent and resilience the team possesses and am eager to arrive in Arizona to start strong.”
In 2025, the Cardinals finished with a record of 3-14, standing out as the sole team among the four NFC West contenders to not qualify for the playoffs. Arizona has not qualified for the playoffs in the last four seasons and in nine of the last ten.
Ossenfort is confident that LaFleur is the coach capable of transforming the team’s prospects. “In his career, Mike has worked alongside some of the most esteemed coaches in football and has played a vital role in the success of numerous teams,” Ossenfort stated in a news release. He comprehends the essence of successful football and the effort required to attain it. Mike possesses exceptional communication skills and a meticulous teaching approach that consistently brings out the best in his players. We are truly thrilled for him to share that with the Cardinals.
LaFleur has been associated with the Cleveland Browns (2014), Atlanta Falcons (2015-16), San Francisco 49ers (2017-20), and New York Jets (2021-22). He held the position of offensive coordinator for the Jets, accumulating five years of experience in that capacity. Although he called plays for the Jets, he did not fulfill that role for the Rams.
“We had the chance to engage with an exceptional group of candidates throughout this comprehensive process and gained valuable insights from each of them,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill stated. At the conclusion of that process, it became evident that Mike LaFleur has all the qualities required to guide this team to success in the role of head coach. He demonstrates a high level of intelligence paired with an exceptionally sharp and creative understanding of football. Mike is a dynamic and innovative leader, precisely the individual we sought to lead our team as its head coach.
Jonathan Gannon served as the coach for Arizona over the last three seasons. His record stood at 15-36 prior to his dismissal.
The Cardinals face an important decision regarding the future of quarterback Kyler Murray, who was the first overall pick in 2019.
Arizona had an interest in Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is said to be taking on the role of head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.
