Mike LaFleur is the new head coach on the NFL block.
The 38-year-old offensive coordinator turned head coach has continued to fill out his staff after being hired by the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1. That includes filling what was his previous role at his old job – offensive coordinator.
LaFleur settled on Nathaniel Hackett, who, coincidentally, replaced him as the New York Jets offensive coordinator, for that key spot on the staff. It was a decision that the coach explained on Feb. 18.
"I wanted him and nobody else," LaFleur said, via PHNX Cardinals. "And he's here."
LaFleur spoke glowingly of Hackett, adding that the coach has been very successful throughout his career and is highly thought in the profession. The new offensive coordinator brings plenty of experience, but it was somewhat of a surprising move after the coach's apparent fall from grace.
A couple of uneven stops as the Denver Broncos head coach and Jets offensive coordinator left Hackett on the outside looking in. After spending the 2025 season with the Green Bay Packers as a defensive analyst, he's back in the game.
He joins the rookie head coach in LaFleur, who filled the final vacancy of the 2026 NFL coaching carousel. There were 10 jobs that came available after the conclusion of the 2025 season. LaFleur opted to stick around in the NFC West, leaving his post as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator for a promotion in the desert.
LaFleur already announced his intention to call plays as the head coach, meaning Hackett's impact on a game-to-game basis could be more limited.
Hackett discussed his role on the staff during a press conference on Feb. 18.
"It doesn't matter who has got the paper, who has got the microphone to the quarterback," Hackett said, PHNX Cardinals' Bo Brack. "It's, everybody is gonna call it the same way."
The coach added that it's about doing whatever he can to help LaFleur become the best version of himself.
"It’s just all about being there for him, helping him develop the plans, helping him develop anything that he needs," Hackett said.
Hackett might not have the play sheet, but he can provide valuable experience from his previous stops to help guide the young coach in his first season.
Nathaniel Hackett coaching history
Hackett has been patrolling the sidelines as a coach at the college and NFL level since 2003. After spending time at Stanford as an assistant, he made the leap to the professional level in 2006 to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff as an offensive quality control coach.
He later went back to the college ranks before landing his first NFL offensive coordinator gig with the Buffalo Bills in 2013. Hackett is best known for his work and friendship with Aaron Rodgers as the Packers' OC from 2019 to 2021. That was on full display during HBO's "Hard Knocks" with the Jets ahead of the 2023 season.
Nathaniel Hackett coaching record
Hackett owns a 4-11 record as a head coach in the NFL.
He was hired by the Broncos ahead of the 2022 season and promptly fired after just 15 games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike LaFleur explains decision to hire Nathaniel Hackett as Cards' OC