From New York Jets hell to NFL glory.
According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the Arizona Cardinals plan to hire Mike LaFleur as their head coach.
“LaFleur, 38, spent the past three seasons as Sean McVay’s OC with the Rams. Now, Matt LaFleur’s younger brother gets his shot to run the show in Arizona,” Pelissero added.
LaFleur, 38, spent the past three seasons as Sean McVay’s OC with the Rams. Now, Matt LaFleur’s younger brother gets his shot to run the show in Arizona.
Now every NFL head coaching vacancy has been filled, with LaFleur headed to Arizona. Earlier on Sunday, February 1, Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders are destined to connect. That hiring can’t become official until after the Seattle Seahawks’ season comes to its conclusion, after the Super Bowl.
From Jets Disappointment to the NFL Mountaintop
Robert Saleh was hired as the next head coach of the Jets in 2021. One of his first big hires was bringing Mike LaFleur, the offensive wiz kid with him from the San Francisco 49ers, to be his offensive cooridator.
LaFleur spent two seasons running the offensive operations for the Jets (2021-22). However, after the 2022 season, the Jets and LaFleur “parted ways.”
According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, “Jets owner Woody Johnson pushed coach Robert Saleh to fire LaFleur.”
“In exit interviews after the 2022 season, some key players made it clear to their bosses that the offense, in their minds, had become predictable — Garrett Wilson said as much during his season-ending press conference. But that was only a microcosm of the problems the Jets had on offense. Many of them were rooted in quarterbacking incompetence, particularly from Zach Wilson. When Wilson wasn’t behind center, the offense under LaFleur often thrived, especially with Mike White and Joe Flacco,” Rosenblatt wrote in December of 2024.
“But outside pressure won out … Saleh pitched alternate solutions, including one in which LaFleur would stick around but in a reduced role, working alongside Todd Downing and Keith Carter. But too many of the Jets’ key offensive players were frustrated, plus fans (and some media) were calling for LaFleur’s head — Johnson wasn’t swayed,” Rosenblatt added.
LaFleur quickly landed on his feet. He joined up with Sean McVay and the Rams as the OC. Three years later, LaFleur is now a head coach at the NFL level.
Top Social Media Reactions to LaFleur Landing a HC Gig After Failed Jets OC Stint
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that, “Mike LaFleur is the first Jets offensive coordinator to get a head coaching [job] after his stint with the team since Brian Schottenheimer.”
The Jets let him go after two seasons. Sean McVay snatched him up. Now he’s a head coach.
“Mike LaFleur’s Jets offense ranked top-5 in most statistical categories when using a quarterback other than Zach Wilson. That was the argument made to try to keep LaFleur. Ultimately, the higher ups demanded a change. Jets offense has been in a free fall every since. LaFleur now a head coach at 38,” Hughes added.
That was the argument made to try to keep LaFleur. Ultimately, the higher ups demanded a change.
Jets offense has been in a free fall every since. LaFleur
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said, “Mike LaFleur, dumped by the Jets after the 2022 season, is on the verge of his first head coaching job. A week ago, Robert Saleh was hired by the Titans. Life after the Jets has been good for these two old friends.”
Revenge Games Once Again Litter the Schedule for the Jets in 2026
The green and white will visit a couple of old friends during the 2026 season.
Gang Green is scheduled to travel to Tennessee to play the Titans and Robert Saleh. They’re also scheduled to visit Arizona to play Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals.
The NFL scheduling Gods have a cruel sense of humor.
Fired Jets OC Lands Final NFL HC Job in 2026: Report