NFL

Matt and Mike LaFleur prepare for upcoming matchup between the Packers and the Cardinals.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 24, 2026, 21:33 IST

This week, head coaches Matt LaFleur and Mike LaFleur will face off as Matt's Packers welcome Mike's Cardinals for practice and a preseason game.

Matt and Mike LaFleur prepare for upcoming matchup between the Packers and the Cardinals.

In a unique twist to the upcoming joint practice between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Matt LaFleur has devised a playful strategy to prevent any potential altercations among players. The solution? A lighthearted challenge involving his younger brother, Mike LaFleur, who is now the head coach of the Cardinals. "If there's an issue, I'm going to tell the guys, 'Hey, you come tag me in. They can tag in my brother. And we'll throw down on the 50,'" Matt LaFleur remarked during a press conference on Monday.

This week marks a significant milestone for the LaFleur family, as Denny and Kristi LaFleur will witness their two sons face off as head coaches for the first time. The couple, who raised their children in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, now reside in Green Bay. Matt, who is entering his eighth season with the Packers, joked that his parents would resemble "Christmas trees" adorned in the team's colors—green for the Packers and red for the Cardinals.

Sibling Rivalry and Collaboration

Despite the familial bond, Mike LaFleur, 39, is not one to shy away from challenging his older brother's decisions. "He's quick to criticize everything that I put on the schedule," Matt shared, highlighting the dynamic between the two coaches. "So, he's like, 'Why are we doing this? Why are we doing that? We never do this.' And I was like, 'All right, Mike, you've got all the answers.' Nah, it's been healthy, it's been good. There's been give-and-take on both sides for sure."

As the teams prepare for their preseason finale at Lambeau Field on Friday, the LaFleur brothers are also looking forward to spending quality time together. Matt mentioned that the coaching staffs from both teams plan to gather for a dinner on Wednesday night, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie amidst the competitive atmosphere. "I think it's going to be pretty special, but at the end of the day, we're just looking to try to get good work on both sides," he said. "Certainly, always going to prioritize the Green Bay Packers, but if there is another team in the National Football League that I'll be rooting for, it will be the Arizona Cardinals."

Concerns Over Practice Film

While the focus remains on the practice and the upcoming game, Matt LaFleur expressed concerns about the potential for practice footage to be leaked to other teams. He acknowledged the interconnected nature of coaching staffs across the league, which can lead to information being shared. "I think every situation's a little bit different in terms of who you're going against and who they've got on their staffs and the connections between other staffs, because I know all these guys, they all talk," he explained. However, he feels confident that this particular situation will remain secure, stating, "I don't have any hesitation or reservations."