Grading Mike LaFleur’s hire, eyeing what’s next for Cards

TEMPE, Ariz. – After being without a head coach for nearly a month, Arizona Cardinals Ultimately it’s their choice.

Arizona Appointment announced The search for 38-year-old Mike LaFleur ended Sunday, similar to previous searches by the Cardinals. As they were in 2023 when they hired Jonathan Gannon, they were once again the last team to hire after filling nine other head coaching vacancies. And for the sixth time in the last 19 years, he hired a first-time NFL coach.

He also maintained his pattern of alternating between offensive and defensive-minded head coaches. LaFleur spent the past five seasons as an offensive coordinator, two seasons with the New York Jets and with three Los Angeles Rams. Gannon was a defensive-minded coach. His first offensive coach was Kliff Kingsbury, his first defensive coach was Steve Wilks, his first offensive coach was Bruce Arians.

Arizona has signed LaFleur to a five-year contract as he looks to lead Arizona back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss and NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reed break down what the appointment could mean for quarterbacks kyler murray And for the Cardinals’ upcoming draft. And NFL analyst Ben Solak offers a grade for the move.

Why Mike LaFleur?

venfus: LaFleur is highly regarded in the league for his offensive skills. And that Sean McVay represents a branch of the tree with a huge amount of cachet.

LaFleur is the fourth McVay OC to become a head coach, joining Mike’s brother Matt LaFleur. green Bay PackersKevin O’Connell minnesota vikings and liam coen jacksonville jaguars. The other three led their teams to the playoffs.

LaFleur runs a West Coast style offense, which would be Murray’s third different offensive style in his eight NFL seasons – should he still come into OTAs.

Did Cards wait too long and miss out on top choices?

venfus: It’s hard to argue that they didn’t, but general manager Monty Ossenfort said during his postseason news conference that Arizona was going to take its time.

It may not have been a case of waiting too long and missing out on their top choices for the Cardinals, just because it wasn’t as attractive of a destination as other teams. This was largely due to uncertainty at quarterback, facilities that consistently received low grades in the annual NFLPA report card, and owners like Michael Bidwell who have been famously frugal.

Where one might have to wait so long to hire a head coach and, potentially, the Cardinals would be at a disadvantage in hiring a staff. With LaFleur being the last coach to be hired this cycle, his group of assistants to hire is dwindling by the day.

What does this mean for Murray’s future with the Cardinals?

venfus:This is still to be decided. Murray’s contract situation is well-known: He is under contract through 2028 and is already guaranteed $39.8 million for 2026, so there are two possibilities for Murray: let LaFleur choose his guy, which, as an offensive-minded head coach, might be the smartest move, or Bidwell will require Murray to remain on the roster because he has paid him for this coming season.

LaFleur hasn’t always had the easiest hand with quarterbacks. In San Francisco, he had CJ Beathard, Nick Mullens, jimmy garoppolo And brian hoyerAnd in New York he had zach wilson. Murray is a step above him in terms of talent, but LaFleur, who had a front row seat to Matthew Stafford Over the last three seasons in Los Angeles, he has also worked with an elite QB.

How can LaFleur boost his roster at No. 3 overall in the draft – and will the pick be an offensive one?

reed: This roster needs help at multiple spots, so the Cardinals can go in a few different directions — and focus on both sides of the ball.

There’s a glaring hole on the right tackle roster, too spencer fan (Utah) or Francis Mauigoa (Miami) would mean a lot. Fano has great mobility qualities, while Mauigoa is physically brutal.

But the Cardinals might consider adding an edge rusher instead passion sweat. Keep an eye on the powerful Ruben Benn Jr. (Miami) and the explosive David Bailey (Texas Tech). They both know how to get after the QB; Both players had 71 pressures in 2025, which tied for second in FBS.

How would you rate this appointment?

Solak: B-. The Cardinals – the last team to fill their head coaching position – apparently did not find their preferred candidate, as they announced the hiring of LaFleur just minutes after it was reported. Clint Kubiak Was taking the work of attackers.

LaFleur is a glimpse of the old Kyle Shanahan block, having spent time as the 49ers’ passing game coordinator under Robert Saleh before taking the offensive coordinator job with the Jets. LaFleur never got the plane off the ground with Zach Wilson in New York, and now he’ll be in charge of another young quarterback’s developmental arc, assuming Arizona moves on from Kyler Murray to a new signal-caller.

There is a solid roof here, as Lafleur is made of an abundant coachwood tree. But it’s hard to get too excited about what feels like a very ordinary job.