Every team in the NFL wants that elite young buck to lead their roster to the promised land. You know the type: The Sean McVay’s or the Kyle Shanahan’s. The Arizona Cardinals thought they had their version back in 2022 when they nabbed Jonathan Gannon away from the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, he lasted three seasons after his three-year plan became a disaster instead.
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There are plenty of young offensive and defensive coordinators in the league.
That is not the issue. The idea is to find the right young coordinator who will transform a roster. Like McVay. And Shanahan. Yeah, that guy.
You can’t just point out a guy and say he will do, he’s young, his offense or defense did pretty well this year. And besides, he won’t cost much in the beginning, and if he does well, we will pay him bank then and only then. But for now, prove yourself and your schemes.
The list for interviews with candidates for the head coaching job in Arizona is pretty lengthy. We get the “no stone unturned” approach, and it is much better than throwing darts and making a decision.
How about a prospect that hasn’t been discussed? A good quality proven coach? One that could transform the offense immediately?
Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers is a very good, offensive-minded coach. This year, Green Bay ranked #15 in overall offense and was ranked #5 last season. QB injuries and rushing issues hurt their offensive production this year, but otherwise, they are a Top-5 offense most years.
Could he become the next Arizona head coach?
One thing you should know first – he is still under contract with the Packers. Yeah, that. But something isn’t jelling right in Green Bay regarding LaFleur. Something that just might mean he could possibly become available if the right set of circumstances pop up.
2026 is the final year of LaFleur’s contract. He was originally hired beginning with the 2019 NFL season after being the OC with the Tennessee Titans. He signed an extension in 2022. There have been discussions about a new deal, but with tangles. Lots of tangles.
The Packers front office has complete trust in LaFleur, but money appears to be the roadblock going forward.
Green Bay president and CEO Ed Policy is sold on LaFleur being the head coach, but is not happy with the current head coaching salaries that are bouncing around. He mentioned the capital that the New York Football Giants are about to shell out in order to sign John Harbaugh, which is reported to being about $20 million a year. Policy just isn’t interested in paying the price of business of extending NFL head coaches in this era.
And that may mean that LaFleur will coach all season long without a new contract. Or perhaps, the team will allow LaFleur to seek other options.
Enter the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona is ripe for a great offensive mind to swoop down and take over that side of the ball. LaFleur would become a perfect candidate to consider.
LaFleur’s head coaching record while with the Packers, 76-40-1 overall (.654), and 3-6-0 in playoffs (.333):
- 2019: 13-3-0, won division, won a playoff game, lost in NFC Championship Game
- 2020: 13-3-0, won division, won a playoff game, lost in NFC Championship Game
- 2021: 13-4-0, won division, lost in playoffs
- 2022: 8-9-0
- 2023: 9-8-0, second in division, won a playoff game, lost in Divisional Game
- 2024: 11-6-0, lost in playoffs
- 2025: 9-7-1: lost in playoffs
Another issue brewing in Green Bay is that at one time, the head coach reported to the GM, who reported to the president/CEO. For the past few years, that changed to the head coach and general manager both reporting to the president/CEO independently. The team has stated that they now wish to revert to the head coach going to the GM only. How will LaFleur respond to that being taken away?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported:
“I think the bigger deal is, can they figure out a contract of fair value to keep him there? I think that’s what this is about, them trying to negotiate a contract, seeing what they could come up with. If they get a deal done, it’s a non-talking point, and his future is secure there. If they can’t figure out a contract that works for both sides, well then, you have to ask yourself, are they willing to let him go into the last year of his deal, which he would be, or what do you do about that?”
It is well-known that NFL clubs do not want to head into a full season without something long-term already lined up regarding their head coach.
Policy has stated that when the pay ceiling is so high for the team’s head coach, then it becomes a standard practice that any elite coordinators will want to be paid bank as well. The Packers have always preferred cheap internal promotions for assistant coaches. To be factual, Green Bay traditionally will not spend money on coaches when an assistant leaves, but the front office goes for the next man up as a cheaper internal option.
Will Green Bay keep LaFleur, or allow him to seek another job?
The NFL does not release what coaches make, like it is readily available for players. But it has been estimated that LaFleur makes between $8 -$9 million a season. The first deal he was paid $5.5 million a year.
Of course, Harbaugh just complicated every NFL club’s coaching contracts.
Schefter continued:
“Very rarely do teams want coaches going into the last year of their deal. Which, I believe the priority will be to re-sign to an extension this offseason.”
Exactly how could the Cardinals end up with LaFleur if he has one year left on his contract? Trade for him.
This type of trade doesn’t happen often, but it is very feasible. And yes, it would probably take trading the #3 pick in the first round in order to snare the talented coach.
In 2000, the New England Patriots sent the New York Jets their first-round draft pick for the rights to Bill Belichick. The result of that transaction began a dynasty.
It’s a matter of Arizona being able to weigh their options.
