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Mike LaFleur to Call Plays for Cardinals Offense in 2026
New Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur announced on Tuesday that he will call the offensive plays in his first year as head coach in 2026, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. LaFleur is replacing Jonathan Gannon, who was fired on Jan. 5 after going 3-14 in 2025. The Cardinals have yet to hire a new offensive coordinator, who will be working under LaFleur. The last time that LaFleur called plays was in 2021 and 2022, when he was the New York Jets' offensive coordinator. He did not call plays the last three seasons under Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. The Jets went 11-23 during LaFleur's two seasons with the team while starting five different quarterbacks. The biggest order of business for LaFleur and the Cardinals' front office this offseason will be to decide if QB Kyler Murray (foot) is viewed as the long-term option under center.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Jacoby Brissett Could be Trade Target for Jets
SNY's Connor Hughes mentions Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett as a potential trade target for the New York Jets this offseason. The 33-year-old went 7-8 as the starter for new Jets offensive coordinator in 2019, throwing for 2,942 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has one year left on his current deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Since 2016, Reich started 10 different QBs: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles, Carson Wentz, Philip Rivers, Brissett, Brian Hoyer, and Andrew Luck. Brissett went 1-11 as the QB for Arizona in 2025, but he improved the offense over Kyler Murray (foot) and threw for a career-high 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight picks in 14 games (12 starts). The Jets currently have only Justin Fields and Brady Cook under contract at QB, with few options expected to be available in the draft or free agency this offseason.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
The Arizona Cardinals are working to finalize a five-year deal to make Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur their next head coach. LaFleur has spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles after two years in the same position with the New York Jets. The Rams led the NFL in both offensive yards and scoring in 2025, and LaFleur's presence in Arizona will unquestionably boost the fantasy stock of most Cardinals offensive weapons, assuming he's able to find a suitable answer at the quarterback position. With earlier reports that the Las Vegas Raiders are close to naming Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, all 10 head coaching vacancies have now been filled before the 2026 season.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
James Conner Facing Age and Injury Questions Heading into 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) had his 2025 season cut short when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. The veteran running back was a productive player as recently as 2024, when he recorded 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games played. However, he will enter the 2026 season at 31 years old and less than a year removed from significant ankle surgery, bringing his future fantasy viability into question. The Cardinals spent most of the 2025 season without both of their top running backs, as 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson (knee) did not play after Week 4 due to a knee injury. While Benson's injury status clouds his future outlook as well, Arizona appears headed for a backfield split. The team could also bring in additional talent at the position through free agency or the draft heading into 2026. Given his age and unclear health status, Conner's fantasy value in both redraft and dynasty formats is currently trending in the wrong direction.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Durability Concerns Cloud Trey Benson's Value in Arizona
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) very well could have had a Year 2 breakout season in 2025 had he not injured his knee early on. Benson ended up playing in only four games in his second year in the NFL, carrying the ball 29 times for 160 yards and no touchdowns while catching 13 of 16 targets for 64 yards. Primary RB James Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3. Conner is under contract for one more season, so if the 23-year-old Benson is healthy in 2026, he'll likely operate as the RB2 in the desert. Benson never had a major role behind Conner in his rookie campaign, totaling 63 rushing attempts for 291 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games played. On top of Benson's injury concerns -- he also had a major knee injury in college -- the Cardinals will have an entirely new coaching staff next season, and it's unclear what direction they'll go in at quarterback.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Can Michael Wilson Repeat his Breakout in 2026?
Not many fantasy football managers would have predicted Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson being a top-12 wideout at the start of the 2025 season. Thanks to injuries to quarterback Kyler Murray and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson took over as the team's WR1 in the second half of the season and finished with career-highs across the board in catches (78), targets (126), receiving yards (1,006), and touchdowns (seven) in 17 games played. In the first nine games of the year, Wilson had only 22 receptions for 231 yards and one score on 38 targets. In the final eight contests, he soared with 56 catches on 88 targets for 775 yards and six touchdowns in a pass-happy Cardinals offense. Backup QB Jacoby Brissett peppered Wilson with targets as much as possible, and he scored in each of the final five games. Despite the impressive breakout, Wilson's 2026 fantasy value will be shaky with a giant question mark at QB and under a completely new coaching staff.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Cardinals Interview Ron Rivera for Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals interviewed former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera in-person for their head-coaching vacancy, a source told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Rivera is currently the general manager for the football team at the University of California. The 64-year-old coached the Panthers from 2011 to 2019, which included a Super Bowl appearance and two NFL Coach of the Year awards. He wasn't as successful in a shorter stint as the Commanders' head coach from 2020 to 2023, as he never had a winning record in D.C. Rivera hasn't coached in the NFL for the last two seasons, but he's on Arizona's radar as they look to replace Jonathan Gannon. Rivera has plenty of experience in the NFL as a head coach, but it's believed that Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is the favorite to be named the Cardinals' next head coach.
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Mike LaFleur Scheduled for Second Head-Coaching Interview With Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is scheduled to meet with the Arizona Cardinals for a second, in-person interview on Monday and Tuesday for the head-coaching job, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. LaFleur has worked as the Rams' offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay for the last three seasons. Before that, he had an unsuccessful two-year stint as the New York Jets' OC. LaFleur hasn't generated a ton of interest -- probably because he was not the one calling plays in L.A. for the Rams' offense -- but he's also a head-coaching candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders. The 38-year-old has also coached with the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns under head coach Kyle Shanahan. He is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Kyler Murray's Trade Value has Increased
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss writes that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray's trade value has increased after Oregon QB Dante Moore announced on Jan. 14 that he would return to school for his junior season in 2026. Moore was projected to go second overall, behind Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. "One less quarterback on the market makes desperation increase," a source said. There isn't another clear-cut first-round signal-caller in this year's draft behind Mendoza, now that Moore is going back to school. An NFC source said they think the starting price for Murray, if Arizona is interested in moving him, could begin with a second-round pick. A league source believes Murray's market starts with a third-rounder. Murray is still a talented player, but he never played in 2025 after a foot injury in Week 5, putting his future in Arizona in question after another frustrating campaign. A final decision on whether the Cardinals decide to trade Murray this offseason might not be reached until the team hires a new head coach.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Anthony Weaver a Finalist for Cardinals Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals are interviewing former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver a second time on Monday for their head-coaching job, sources told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Weaver was a finalist for the head-coaching jobs with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers this cycle, and he was also a finalist for the New Orleans Saints' head-coaching gig last year. The 45-year-old was the Dolphins' defensive coordinator the last two years and also worked for the Ravens from 2021 to 2023 under head coach John Harbaugh. Weaver could be an ideal fit for the Cardinals organization as they look to replace Jonathan Gannon. The Buffalo Bills are also in play for Weaver, but the Cardinals appear to be making the bigger push for him. The Bills seem to prefer an offensive-minded head coach to pair with quarterback Josh Allen, so Weaver might be more of a long shot there.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Anthony Campanile a Finalist for Cardinals Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals are bringing in Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile for a second, in-person interview for their head-coaching job on Thursday, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The Jaguars' emergence in 2025 was spurred mostly by the defensive unit, which ranked first against the run. Campanile could be the favorite to take over in the desert after the team fired Jonathan Gannon. In addition to the Cardinals, Campanile interviewed for the head-coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. In addition to being first against the run under Campanile this year, the Jaguars' defense was second in takeaways and allowed the third-lowest rushing success rate and 11th-lowest drop-back success rate. If he were to be hired in Arizona, figuring out the quarterback situation would be at the top of his list of priorities.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Cardinals Interviewing Joe Brady for Head-Coaching Job on Tuesday
The Arizona Cardinals are interviewing Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head-coaching job on Tuesday, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Brady has a second head-coaching interview with the Baltimore Ravens and is also a candidate for the head-coaching openings for the Las Vegas Raiders. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans before they all hired new head coaches recently. Brady could also be a name to watch to replace Sean McDermott as the Bills' next head coach. The 36-year-old has never been a head coach in the NFL, previously running the offenses for LSU and the Carolina Panthers before joining Buffalo. The Cardinals have had a defensive background each of the last three years with Jonathan Gannon, but perhaps they're looking to go with an offensive mind moving forward.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Robert Saleh to Have Second Head-Coaching Interview With Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is scheduled for an in-person second interview on Tuesday for the Arizona Cardinals' head-coaching job, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Saleh interviewed for the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching job on Monday. If he doesn't come out of Tennessee with a contract, he'll get on a plane and head to Arizona. In total, Saleh has met with four different teams for their head-coaching jobs after leading a 49ers defense in 2025 that ranked 13th in points allowed, which is amazing considering how many injuries they had to key players. In his short run as the head coach of the New York Jets, Saleh went just 20-36, but he's still a very respected coach around the league and has a good shot to land another head-coaching gig this cycle.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Cardinals Request to Interview Arthur Smith for Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals are requesting to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head-coaching job, a source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Smith is also interviewing for the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching opening on Wednesday. The 43-year-old is a Memphis native and spent 10 years as a coach with the Titans before becoming the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons, so his preference could be to return home. Smith has a connection to the Cardinals as well, serving alongside current Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort when he worked for the Titans. It's unlikely that Smith would stick around on Pittsburgh's staff after they bring in a new head coach to replace Mike Tomlin, who resigned on Tuesday. Smith served as the OC for the Steelers for the last two seasons.
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Cardinals Request to Interview Matt Burke for Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke for their head-coaching job, a source told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Burke is the play-caller for the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and he previously coached the Cardinals' defensive line in 2022. The Cardinals are looking to replace Jonathan Gannon, who was fired last week after the team went 3-14 in 2025. Burke has been the Texans' DC for three seasons under head coach DeMeco Ryans. In addition to Houston being first in points allowed this year, they ranked second in yards allowed. Burke is well-traveled around the NFL as a coach, with stops in Tennessee (2004-08), Detroit (2009-13), Cincinnati (2014-15), Miami (2016-18), Philadelphia (2019-20), New York (2021), and Arizona (2022).
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
