Cardinals Reportedly Set To Poach Next Head Coach From Rams

According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the Arizona Cardinals have found their next head coach.

Per Russini, the Cardinals are set to hire Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who’s been with Los Angeles over the past three seasons.

BREAKING: The Arizona Cardinals are planning to hire Rams OC Mike LaFleur as the franchise’s next head coach, a source tells The Athletic.

LaFleur, 38, has spent the past three seasons as Los Angeles’s offensive coordinator and will remain in the NFC West with Arizona. pic.twitter.com/xhBCewddSI

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 1, 2026

LaFleur’s coaching journey began in college football, where he served as an offensive assistant at Elmhurst in 2009, followed by roles as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana from 2010 to 2012. He then took on the offensive coordinator position at Davidson in 2013.

Transitioning to the NFL, LaFleur started as an offensive intern with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. He moved to the Atlanta Falcons as an offensive assistant from 2015 to 2016, contributing to a team that reached the Super Bowl. In 2017, he joined the San Francisco 49ers, advancing to passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach by 2019, helping shape a dynamic offense under Kyle Shanahan.

In 2021, LaFleur became the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, a role he held through 2022, focusing on quarterback development amid roster changes. He then shifted to the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 as offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. Over three seasons, his schemes propelled the Rams to strong performances, culminating in 2025 when they topped the league in yards per game (394.6) and points per game (30.5).