The Arizona Cardinals will not change playcallers despite their 1-4 start, head coach Mike LaFleur said Monday, a decision that keeps the offense and defense under the same voices that have overseen four straight losses. LaFleur’s comments came two days after a 45-21 loss to the Detroit Lions dropped Arizona to 1-4.
The Main Development
LaFleur confirmed he will not take over offensive playcalling duties himself or replace defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, even as the Cardinals search for answers on both sides of the ball. He said the move would not give Arizona its best shot at beating the Los Angeles Rams this week.
“I mean, obviously my job is to see the issues and handle the issues and have the tough conversations,” LaFleur said. “So, if I felt like changes were needed for us to help us win this week, then I’m going to do that. It’s my responsibility, but I don’t think that gives us the best chance to win this week.”
What It Means
LaFleur said he has had difficult conversations with all three phases of the team, singling out the offense and defense as areas needing the most improvement. On defense specifically, he pointed to a lack of consistency rather than a scheme problem that would call for a coordinator change.
“I told them that today, but we got to help them with that, whether that’s providing the clarity, whether it’s making it easier, what have you,” LaFleur said. “And we got to dive into that hard over these next two days.”
Context: A Defense That Has Allowed 30-Plus Points Four Straight Weeks
Arizona’s defense has given up more than 30 points in each of its last four games, all losses. The pass rush has shown recent improvement, with seven sacks over the past two games, the Cardinals’ best two-game sack total since Weeks 12 and 13 of the 2024 season, when they also recorded 10 sacks across two games.
The offense has shown flashes without sustaining them. Arizona scored touchdowns on its first two drives against the New York Giants in Week 4 and opened its game against the Lions with a scoring drive, only to stall out afterward in both contests.
Team Impact: Beck Roster Decision Looms
LaFleur said the Cardinals will discuss whether to elevate rookie quarterback Carson Beck to the active roster for the game against the Rams, rather than keeping him as the inactive emergency option. No decision has been announced.
LaFleur signed a multi-year extension in January, and USA Today reported he is not considered among the NFL‘s hot-seat coaches despite the slow start. The Cardinals are also adjusting their offense after trading wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans, according to the team’s official site.
What’s Next
Arizona faces the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6, with opening lines for the matchup already posted by Yahoo Sports. LaFleur said the coaching staff would spend the next two days addressing the defensive inconsistencies he flagged, and a decision on Beck’s roster status is expected before kickoff.
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