‘Got me emotional’ – Cardinals’ Mike LaFleur surprised by NFL head coach brother on debut

Aug 7, 2026 - 11:45

Mike LaFleur’s first taste of life as an NFL head coach came in the form of a hazing from his brother.

The Arizona Cardinals boss took charge for the first time against the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game.

Mike saw his rookie quarterback put on a show

He spoke to Football Night in America ahead of kickoff and got a surprise when Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur‘s voice came through his earpiece.

“What are we thinking about doing a pregame interview, don’t you have a team to coach?” Matt joked.

“I thought you guys had practice and meetings, but I guess you’re letting your coordinators do that,” Mike swiftly jibed back.

Matt — now an eight-year vet as a head coach — did have some words of wisdom, reminding his sibling to have his challenge flag ready to go.

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“I did not expect that right there. I appreciate that, guys. That’s pretty cool. I appreciate that,” Mike said during the chat. “Now you’ve got me a little bit emotional.”

The brothers will have a reunion later this month with the Cardinals and Packers hosting a joint practice on August 26 ahead of a preseason meeting in Green Bay.

Mike has to fix probably the worst team in the NFL

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Carson Beck puts on a show

Mike will have plenty to ponder after seeing his team beaten by a walk-off touchdown.

Thankfully, the result doesn’t really matter with few first-team players on display, and LaFleur will have been encouraged by rookie quarterback Carson Beck.

The 24-year-old went 15-of-19 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, including an impressive 49-yard completion to Jalen Brooks that showed off his arm talent.

“He’s been in so many big moments,” LaFleur said. “This was a really cool environment. I’m glad we got to play in this.

“He doesn’t make it too big. He just lives by the play. If we’re in a bad play, a bad call, don’t make it worse.”

Panthers head coach Dave Canales was also impressed with Beck.

“He operated like a professional,” he said. “He looked fantastic. He was accurate. He was on time.

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“Our rush was decent. He got the ball out, threw some really beautiful passes down the field, up the sideline on some double moves, over the middle, to keep the drive alive in some third-down situations so tip my hat to him.”

Beck and LaFleur weren’t the only high-profile debutants, with Mike Tomlin making his first appearance on NBC’s football coverage.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers chief put in an assured display that drew rave reviews showed why he was so highly coveted and also paid a classy tribute to his replacement Mike McCarthy.

“I know a little bit about the Steelers situation to say the least,” Tomlin said. “It’s perfect for them, and they’re perfect for Mike.”