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Josh Weinfuss
multiple authors
TEMPE, Ariz. – Mike LaFleur will follow in his older brother’s footsteps, green Bay Packers Coach Matt LaFleur, and plays an aggressive game while taking over the duties as the new head coach Arizona Cardinals.
LaFleur made the announcement Tuesday during his introductory press conference at the Cardinals’ headquarters in Tempe, Arizona.
However, who will run the plays LaFleur calls is still to be determined.
LaFleur replaces Jonathan Gannon, who was fired on January 5 after going 3-14 this season. He said he talked to the quarterback kyler murray on Sunday and described their talks as “good”, though he said talks regarding Murray and the rest of the roster were to begin on Tuesday afternoon.
Although he did not directly speak about Murray’s future with the franchise, LaFleur said that facing Murray during his five years in the NFC West was “never fun.”
“I have a lot of respect for him as a player,” LaFleur said. “Having played against him for five years, have a lot of respect for him as a player and going against him was never a fun challenge.”
Murray, who is already guaranteed $39.8 million for 2026, and his backup, Jacoby BrissettBoth are under contract through 2026. However, with Murray due to be guaranteed an additional $17 million for 2027 on the fifth day of the league year in March, Arizona will need to decide by then whether Murray is a long-term quarterback as he is entering his eighth season with only one playoff appearance.
Working with an offensive-minded coach was music to the wide receiver’s ears Michael WilsonWho were present on Tuesday. As part of a talented pass-catching trio that included Marvin Harrison Jr.. and tight end trey mcbrideWilson said he was “excited to join an offensive line that can hopefully maximize all of our skill sets.”
The last time LaFleur called plays during the 2021 and 2022 seasons was when he New York Jets‘Offensive coordinator (he did not call plays for the Rams despite being their offensive coordinator the last three seasons). New York went 11–23 during his two seasons, leading to LaFleur’s firing, but the Jets returned five starting quarterbacks, three of whom threw for at least 1,300 yards.
Despite how it ended, Cardinals general manager Monty Ossenfort said Arizona viewed LaFleur’s time with the Jets as a positive.
“Mike had a hand in dealing with tough situations and the Jets had to deal with some tough things and I think it’s always beneficial when you can see different things in the building,” Ossenfort said. “It was his first time calling it full-time, and I think that was a positive thing, yes. It probably didn’t go the way Mike wanted, but it was a learning experience and the way he talked to us and what he got out of it and how he improved from that, it was something that we really saw as a thing that’s beneficial.”
A large number of people were in attendance for LaFleur’s introduction Tuesday. His wife and two children were accompanied by his parents and in-laws; His brother Matt was also in attendance with his wife and children.
“We run deep,” Mike LaFleur said. “We don’t have a lot of people, but the LaFleurs will be around.”
Matt LaFleur said he was “really excited” to have the opportunity to lead his younger brother to the team.
Matt LaFleur said, “I think he’s earned it, and he’s done it the right way, and he’s been himself throughout this journey and knows there are no shortcuts and you have to do the work, and I think he’s going to do a great job.”
Several Cardinals players were also present, including linebacker mac wilson sr., cornerback Shaun Murphy-Buntingdefensive lineman Walter Nolen IIIedge runner passion sweatrushing back imari demercadolinebacker cody simon and safety Dadrien Taylor-Demerson.
Mack Wilson said that as soon as he heard Monday that the news conference was Tuesday, he booked a flight.
Matt LaFleur was asked what he and Mike would have thought if someone told them while growing up in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that they would one day coach the Packers and Cardinals, respectively.
“I’d say you’re full of s—,” Matt said.
Tuesday’s news conference was the culmination of a search that began with Gannon’s firing and lasted nearly a month. Ossenfort said the search involved 14 candidates, six of whom were interviewed in person.
Seahawks offensive coordinator was among the candidates interviewed in person Clint Kubiakwho is expected to be appointed as las vegas raiders‘The next head coach, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Owner Michael Bidwill said, “So, as we went through the interview process, the clear winner was Mike LaFleur.” “He’s ready for it. He’s innovative, he’s smart, he’s coaching under one of the most talented offensive coaches in the NFC West and arguably in the NFL, if not the NFL. And we’re super excited about all the things he’s going to bring.”
