The Arizona Cardinals have hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to be their next head coach. With that search finally over, the first step for LaFleur will be to assemble a coaching staff.
Bringing in an offensive mind, the first question to address is who calls the offense. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reports that LaFleur will be the offensive playcaller.
LaFleur’s previous experience calling plays on offense came in his short-lived tenure with the New York Jets. Under head coach Robert Saleh, he had to oversee the development of Zach Wilson, the No.2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Following two bad seasons, he was let go, and the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers.
With LaFleur calling the offense, that will impact who the Cardinals bring aboard as the offensive coordinator. Two potential names to keep an eye on are Los Angeles Rams passing coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone.
Between the two coaches, Ragone is the more likely coach to join LaFleur in Arizona. He has previous offensive coordinator experience, serving under Arthur Smith from 2021-2023 with the Atlanta Falcons. Like in his time with Atlanta, the offensive coordinator would not be calling plays.
How LaFleur assembles the offensive coaching staff could be a glimpse of the plan at quarterback. The Cardinals have some tough decisions ahead regarding Kyler Murray and whether he should be their starter in 2026. But that decision can’t be made until after the staff is in place.
Cardinals Aiming at Veteran Defensive Coordinator
GettyThe Cardinals are looking at Gus Bradley to fill their defensive coordinator position.
With LaFleur set to handle the offense, the question is, who is running the defense? The one positive under the Monti Ossenfort-Jonathan Gannon regime is the defense has gotten a talent infusion. There is enough talent on that side of the ball to attract any defensive coordinator.
That defensive coordinator could be Gus Bradley. According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, Bradley is deciding between the Tennessee Titans and the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator roles. Breer notes that Arizona should be a more attractive destination, as he’d actually get to call the plays.
Bradley, 59, is currently the Assistant Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers hiring Raheem Morris, a finalist for the Cardinals’ head coach job, it makes sense for Bradley to leave San Francisco for other opportunities.
In Arizona, he would keep the Assistant Head Coach title, but would also be given the defensive coordinator responsibilities. He carries 12 seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts. In Seattle, the “Legion of Boom” defense first emerged under his tutelage.
Bradley also carries four seasons of experience as a head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he went 14-48 with the Jaguars. He has not been considered a serious head coach candidate since.
Between LaFleur and Bradley, the clear focus of the Cardinals would be to improve their standing within the division. The NFC West sent three teams to the playoffs, each of them getting two wins apiece from Arizona. That makes their intradivision record one barometer for LaFleur’s success with the Cardinals.
Cardinals Begin New Era as Head Coach Mike LaFleur Begins Building Staff