Mike La Fleur's career circles back when he faces his former mentor Kyle Shanahan as head coaches of the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Twelve years ago, La Fleur began his NFL journey as an intern for Shanahan with the Cleveland Browns in 2015. Seven of Shanahan's former assistants now hold head-coaching jobs, forming a tight-knit coaching 'crew' that includes Sean McVay, Matt La Fleur, Robert Saleh, Jeff Hafley, and Mike McDaniel.

The Cardinals host the 49ers in Week 2, marking La Fleur's first game against Shanahan since following him from Cleveland to Atlanta to San Francisco for seven consecutive seasons. Shanahan praised La Fleur as "as good as any of those other guys" on his staff, noting his exceptional football IQ.

At 39, La Fleur is the youngest of the Shanahan disciples to earn a head-coaching role. Former colleagues predict his success, with Hafley calling him "one of the real good guys" and Saleh highlighting his communication skills and clear vision. The coaching connection runs deep, with the group maintaining close ties across divisions and conferences.