(Phoenix, February 2, 2026) – The Arizona Cardinals have hired Mike LaFleur as thier new head coach, signing him to a five-year contract.
The cardinals are betting on a young offensive mind to revitalize a struggling franchise,hoping LaFleur can address a challenging quarterback situation and a roster in need of rebuilding.
- Mike LaFleur has signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
- LaFleur previously served as an offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
- Evaluations of the hire are mixed,with some analysts praising the potential and others citing the team’s existing challenges.
- Raheem Morris has been named the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
LaFleur’s hiring was officially announced Feb. 1, with the new coach expressing his enthusiasm for the prospect. “I couldn’t be more fired up to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and am beyond grateful to michael (Bidwill) and Monti (Ossenfort) for this opportunity,” LaFleur said in a statement. “Having competed against them in the NFC so many times in recent years, I know the type of talent and toughness the team has and cannot wait to get to Arizona to hit the ground running.”
The Cardinals’ decision to hire LaFleur comes as they navigate a period of uncertainty, notably regarding their quarterback situation.Bleacher Report noted that lafleur’s success may hinge on whether the team chooses to continue with Kyler Murray or pursue other options, acknowledging the financial implications of either path.
However,not all analysts are convinced. Yahoo Sports gave the hire a C grade,citing the Cardinals’ weak roster and lack of a clear path to success. “The Cardinals don’t have a good roster, their quarterback situation is a mess and there’s very little track record of success. It’s a hard job. But LaFleur gets his chance to make it work,” Yahoo wrote.
Why It Matters
LaFleur’s arrival signals a potential shift in the Cardinals’ approach, prioritizing offensive innovation and potentially a renewed focus on developing young talent. The Cardinals are hoping LaFleur, who is under 40, can bring a fresh outlook to a franchise that has struggled in recent years. The success of this hire will likely depend on the team’s ability to address its quarterback situation and build a competitive roster around LaFleur’s offensive scheme.
In a separate move, former Atlanta falcons head coach Raheem Morris will be the new defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, according to reports. Morris, who went 16-18 during his two seasons with the Falcons, previously…
Why: The Arizona Cardinals needed a new head coach to revitalize a struggling franchise.They were facing uncertainty with their quarterback situation and a roster needing rebuilding.
Who: Mike LaFleur was hired as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. raheem Morris was hired as the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Key figures involved in the decision were Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and General Manager Monti Ossenfort.
What: The Cardinals signed LaFleur to a five-year contract. This move is seen as a bet on a young, offensive-minded coach to turn the team around. Concurrently, raheem Morris accepted a defensive coordinator position with the 49ers.
How did it end? the announcement of LaFleur’s hiring concluded the Cardinals’ search for a new head coach. While the long-term outcome remains to be seen, the initial reaction is mixed, with analysts debating the potential for success given the team’s current challenges. The move with Morris to the 49ers was a separate, concurrent
