The Arizona Cardinals are narrowing their head coaching search.
After requesting to interview more than 15 coaches, the Cardinals pieced together a list of their top three candidates.
These are former Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris, Los Angeles Rams OC Mike LaFleur and Jacksonville Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
I think they’re also looking at Raheem Morris and Mike LaFleur” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive
Now, the Cardinals might have a clear frontrunner.
According to NFL insider Connor Hughes, LaFleur is the clear leader in this race.
LaFleur is the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Could we see another sibling rivalry between head coaches like the Harbaugh brothers?
What Would LaFleur Bring to the Arizona Cardinals?
LaFleur, known as one of the best up-and-coming offensive minds in the league, is currently coaching for the Rams in the NFC Championship game. He may soon be coaching for an NFC West rival.
“Mike LaFleur believed to be the frontrunner for this job, per sources,” Hughes tweeted. “Would be a big opportunity for the former #Jets OC. Would be a wild offseason for ex-Jets. Robert Saleh is the Titans new HC. LaFleur to Cardinals. Joe Douglas had a good interview for the Falcons GM job.”
LaFleur first started his ascent as the New York Jets‘ offensive coordinator from 2021-22. While he only lasted two seasons with the team, he didn’t have much to work with when it came to personnel.
Soon after, he was scooped up by Sean McVay and the Rams, where he has been since 2023. That year, he fielded a top 10 offense with quarterback Matthew Stafford and rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua. However, in 2024, the offense would take a step back, scoring just 21.6 points per game.
While the Rams would win what was then a weak division, they made it to the divisional round, where they would lose to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2025, LaFleur’s offense would bounce back, becoming the best offense in football, averaging 30.5 points per game. Stafford, the odds-on favorite for the MVP award, was lights out.
Stafford would throw for a league-high 46 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
How Would LaFleur Fit With the Cardinals?
While LaFleur didn’t call the plays in Los Angeles, with that duty going to McVay, he is regarded as a brilliant offensive mind.
With a young quarterback assuredly coming to the Cardinals in the next year or so via the draft, it would be wise for Arizona to hire him.
The Cardinals have had more success of late hiring offensive minds than defensive coordinators of late.
Looking back at the last five head coaches of the Cardinals, the offensive minds have generally had more success with the team.
Ken Whisenhunt led the team to a Super Bowl in 2008. Bruce Arians led the team to an NFC Championship game in 2015 and is the winningest coach in Cardinals history. Kliff Kingsbury led the Cardinals to their last playoff appearance in 2021.
Meanwhile, Steve Wilks and Jonathan Gannon were massive disappointments and failed to develop their quarterbacks.
LaFleur would be a great change of pace as a great offensive mind for owner Michael Bidwill. However, it would be wise for the team to assemble a veteran staff around LaFleur.
This could very well be a slam dunk hire for Arizona, but they have to seal the deal first.
Cardinals Head Coaching Search Reveals Front-Runner