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New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is hiring Hackett as offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. LaFleur made clear during his introductory press conference that he plans to call plays himself, placing Hackett in a familiar role that emphasizes game planning, quarterback development and offensive structure rather than in-game playcalling.
It mirrors the setup Hackett operated in while serving as offensive coordinator under Mike’s brother, Matt LaFleur, in Green Bay.
Revisiting the Green Bay Blueprint
Hackett’s reputation still rests heavily on his three seasons with the Packers from 2019 to 2021, when Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards and Green Bay fielded the league’s top offense in 2020. Matt LaFleur handled playcalling duties, while Hackett coordinated the broader offensive framework.
Arizona now appears set to recreate that dynamic, with Mike LaFleur stepping into the same playcalling role his brother held.
A Career That Swung Fast
Since leaving Green Bay, Hackett’s trajectory has dipped. His one season as Denver Broncos head coach in 2022 ended before the year concluded. He resurfaced with the Jets as offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024 but lost playcalling responsibilities during the latter season amid offensive struggles.
Hackett spent last season as a defensive analyst with the Packers, an unexpected detour that now leads back to a coordinator title in Arizona. He had reportedly been in line to join the Dolphins as quarterbacks coach before the Cardinals opportunity emerged.
Quarterback Questions Await
Hackett and LaFleur step into an offense defined by uncertainty at quarterback. Kyler Murray appeared in just five games last season due to a foot injury, and his long-term future with the franchise remains unclear despite being under contract.
LaFleur acknowledged this week that he has already spoken with Murray but stopped short of offering clarity on his status heading into the offseason.
If Murray remains, Hackett’s immediate task becomes rebuilding confidence and structure around a former No. 1 overall pick. If Arizona pivots, Hackett’s experience developing offenses across multiple systems — in Buffalo, Jacksonville, Green Bay and New York — becomes even more valuable.
Familiar Roles, New Setting
This marks Hackett’s fifth stint as an NFL offensive coordinator. In Arizona, the title carries weight, but the structure stays familiar: support the LaFleur system, help shape the quarterback, and rebuild an offense that needs direction more than reinvention.
For Hackett, it’s a chance to return to the type of environment where he previously thrived — one where the play sheet belongs to a LaFleur.
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