The Arizona Cardinals have named Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, following the appointment of Mike LaFleur as head coach. The announcement comes as LaFleur finalizes his coaching staff for the upcoming season.
At a press conference on Wednesday, LaFleur made clear his intentions regarding the hire. “If you guys believe one thing from this press conference it is, literally, I wanted him and nobody else,” LaFleur said. “And he’s here.”
LaFleur and Hackett have known each other for over a decade. Their professional paths first crossed in 2015 at the NFL combine, where both were involved in interviewing prospective players while working for different teams. Since then, Hackett has worked with Matt LaFleur—Mike’s brother—in Green Bay and most recently served as a defensive assistant.
Hackett commented on his relationship with both brothers: “While there are differences between the LaFleur brothers, there are similarities — ‘which is amazing.'”
This new partnership echoes an earlier collaboration when Hackett was offensive coordinator during Matt LaFleur’s first year as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Now, he takes on the same role under Mike LaFleur with the Cardinals.
“Through all of the experiences that I’ve had, up and down, I think that most things that you grow from are some of the adversity that you go through, and heck, we all go through it,” Hackett said. “But as long as you get something from it, it’s so key. To be able to pass that knowledge on to Mike to help him maybe not do some of things I’ve done and do some of the things I’ve done, you get to just continually learn and grow.”
Hackett brings experience from his time as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022 and as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2023-24. He believes these roles will help him support LaFleur in his first year leading a team.
“You never understand what it’s going to be like until you’re in that chair, and for Mike, there’s going to be some things that are going to come up that you never would have thought,” Hackett said. “From my standpoint, it’s going to be great to be able to try to warn him for some of those things that might show up.”
As preparations continue ahead of training camp and game planning begins, LaFleur emphasized how important communication will be within his staff.
“It’s setting the table, setting the menu, having great energy around the building, having great communication when I’m doing stuff with the defense and when I’m doing stuff with (general manager Monti Ossenfort),” LaFleur said. “It’s such an important role because of all the things I just said.”
LaFleur will handle playcalling duties but expects Hackett’s input will shape their offensive identity. Both coaches share similar views on strategy focused on explosive plays and efficiency.
“We’re not going to be Green Bay, we’re not going to be the Rams, we’re not going to [be] the Niners,” LaFleur said. “We’re going to be us, whatever us becomes. Again, our foundations are very similar. We see the game very similar. I’m excited to piece it together with him.”
The Arizona Cardinals play home games in Glendale and serve fans throughout greater Phoenix as part of the NFC West division according to their official website. The franchise is recognized as one of oldest continuously operating professional football teams in America according to their official website. The team captured an NFC championship in 2008 according to their official website.