GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals look to be going offensive minded for their next head coach in Mike LaFleur. The former three-year Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator helped his team get a top 10 scoring offense in two seasons, including the number-one ranked this past year.
GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals look to be going offensive minded for their next head coach in Mike LaFleur. The former three-year Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator helped his team get a top 10 scoring offense in two seasons, including the number-one ranked this past year. Having MVP front runner Matthew Stafford helped, but the prowess of wide receivers like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Nacua led the league in catches and second in receiving yards, while Adams’ 14 touchdowns led all receivers. The production from those two were outstanding, but can LaFelur do the same with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson?
Jun 3, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur at press conference during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Can Harrison and Wilson be unlocked under LaFleur:
In his second year, Harrison only played in 12 games and put up 608 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The former fourth-overall pick hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft hype. His 50-yard per game average is half of Nacua’s average. Obviously, the All-Pro wide receiver is a hard act to follow, but Harrison could still impact the game a different way.
At 6’3 and 220 pounds, the 23-year-old has the frame to be a touchdown threat like Adams. The six-time Pro Bowler only had 789 receiving yards, but his 14 touchdowns is all fans and experts acknowledge. The Rams were smart on how to find mismatches at goal line situations to find Adams on those one-on-one opportunities. Adams succeeded on those reps, and LaFleur will need to replicate it with Harrison to build up his confidence and production.
Jul 24, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The only shot for Arizona to replicate Nacua’s production is with Wilson. In the final eight games of the season, the third-year Cardinals wide receiver had six touchdowns and 775 receiving yards for a 96.9 average, which would’ve placed him third in the NFL and 10.3 yards behind Nacua. The two wide receivers have almost identical builds at 6’2 and posses similar leaping abilities to make tough catches.
Jan 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) makes a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Wilson was the first Cardinals wide receiver to record 1000-yard season since DeAndre Hopkins in 2020, and he essentially did it in half of a season. Despite Kyler Murray’s likely departure, Jacoby Brissett is a acceptable bridge to help Wilson and Harrison’s development, until a quarterback becomes available in next year’s draft or as a trade assets next offseason.
LaFleur wasn’t a play caller in Los Angeles but was under the tutelage of McVay for three seasons and understands the ins and outs of what makes a elite NFL offense and in a few years could be right behind or ahead his mentor in the NFC West.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
Category: General Sports
