Cardinals’ Mike LaFleur reveals heartwarming surprise NBC pulled during interview

While it was the preseason, the Arizona Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Game matchup against the Carolina Panthers gave Mike LaFleur his first taste of being a head coach. Before the game, he got some extra words of wisdom from his brother, and Green Bay Packers head coach, Matt LaFleur.

Mike now admits he had no idea he would be getting a call from his brother. His wife and kids knew, but Matt popping in during his brother’s pregame interview was all kept a surprise from the first-year head coach. That made his debut as Arizona’s leader even more special, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.

“Really, more than all of that, just that environment. First of all, Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame Game, I mean, we all know the significance of that and then why you’re in it,” LaFleur said. “I mean, obviously you’re going to have one of your prolific players in your franchise, a la Larry, that you get to represent for a three-and-a-half-hour window. So, that’s pretty neat.”

“That atmosphere, albeit, again, a preseason game, I keep telling people, I’m like, ‘I’m glad I got to check that box.’ Playing in Europe’s pretty cool. Getting over there is not too fun. But, once you’re there, it’s a cool environment,” he continued. “Playing in the Super Bowl is pretty cool. And, I’m not saying this was the Super Bowl by any means, but it just was a really neat environment. So that was first and foremost over any of it.”

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur surprises Mike LaFleur on NBC ahead of Mike's debut as an NFL head coach with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I did not expect that right there. I appreciate that, guys. That's pretty cool. I appreciate that… Now you've got me a little bit emotional." pic.twitter.com/e0MnalpnhW

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 7, 2026

While the Cardinals and Packers won’t face off during the regular season, they will do battle in the final week of the preseason. There, the LaFleurs will finally have the opportunity to face off as NFL head coaches. That’s clearly an idea that has lingered in their minds and will soon be reality.

LaFleur’s debut ended in a loss, as the Cardinals fell 33-30. But he surely learned a lot about what it’s like serving as head coach throughout a game. As he continues to make his head coach transition, LaFleur is sure to learn on the knowledge his brother has gained with the Packers.

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