LaFleur, who was hired to lead the Cardinals, faces the challenge of quickly assembling a staff, and his early targeting of Pleasant signals a willingness to retain familiar collaborators from his time with the Rams.
The interview request was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who noted that Pleasant would meet with a former colleague in Arizona as part of LaFleur’s pursuit of a cohesive coaching staff.
Pleasant has also been a strong candidate for the Chargers’ defensive coordinator job in previous years, making him an attractive fit for a defensive-minded regime in Arizona as LaFleur seeks a trusted defensive leader.
Losing LaFleur already represents a setback for the Rams, and adding Pleasant to Arizona’s staff would heighten the impact on Sean McVay’s organization. The Rams will be watching closely to see whether Pleasant remains in Los Angeles or follows LaFleur to the Cardinals.
With LaFleur’s first NFL head coaching opportunity underway, the Cardinals’ staffing process could accelerate as they align on a DC and other roles. The situation remains dynamic, and additional moves from Rams coaches to Arizona could follow as the offseason unfolds.
