On Sunday, SoFi Stadium witnessed the potential birth of the NFL's next offensive head coaching guru as former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator and current Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur lit up the Los Angeles Chargers defense en route to a 26-14 victory.
Using elements of the Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay offensive schemes, LaFleur has crafted his own system whose effectiveness looks eerily similar to McVay's early days with the Rams. The Cardinals put up 393 yards of total offense, with Jacoby Brissett throwing for 277 yards and one touchdown.
McVay was asked if he watched the game and if so, what his reaction was. McVay was impressed, but not surprised, before highlighting the family aspect of the win.
“I did," said McVay. "I wasn't
surprised. I was really happy for Mike. He's obviously one of my closest friends and I love Mike. He's meant a lot to me and my family, his family has. I thought it was an awesome day for the Cardinals. I thought they looked really good in all three phases. I got a chance to watch that whole game.
"It's unique because they're in the division, but it overrides because it's like family. Being able to see mom and dad and how nervous they were in the stands… Mom was excited to see it, even when they were in four-minute mode and had control when they showed them on the TV, and seeing Lauren and the kids. It was cool. They looked awesome.”
McVay is good friends with LaFleur's brother Matt, and hired both brothers as Rams offensive coordinators. Mike was with the Rams from 2023-2025, helping the team turn around from their 2022 failures. His work led to Puka Nacua breaking two rookie records, Kyren Williams achieving three straight 1,000-yard seasons, and was capped off by Matthew Stafford's 2025 MVP campaign.
The Rams host the Cardinals in Week 6, which will be the first time McVay and LaFleur square off as opposing head coaches.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay shares his reaction to Mike LaFleur's statement win with Cardinals
