Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. all praise for Mike LaFleur’s offense early on

Johnson on LaFleur’s scheme:

“I love the philosophy that they have for the offense. I believe that not only myself, but the guys across all units on the offense love what they’re bringing and the style of offense that comes with them. Not just the terminology and the reasons behind the identity that we’re going to now for our offense. I think just the energy in which they teach it and how fast we’re able to pick up the system.

“We picked it up fast. … We’re still at the surface, still at the beginning, but coach LaFleur, coach Hackett, great energy, especially coach Hackett. … Having those guys being able to teach the offense, I think this is the perfect system for me and a perfect system for a lot of the guys in this locker room. I know a lot of guys are excited to get flying around in this system.”

Voluntary workouts and rookie minicamps have given LaFleur an adjustment period to install his system. Johnson states that for the past months of workouts and learning the scheme has illustrated how perfect he sees it for plenty of guy on the roster. LaFleur has spent the early stages of his tenure focusing on pre-snap operations and executions.

LaFleur will be the offensive playcaller for the franchise, his first opportunity since with the New York Jets in 2021. Previous head coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t call the plays offensively or defensively during his time in Arizona. Last time a Cardinals head coach called plays was Kliff Kingsbury, who was also considered an offensive genius when he arrived in 2019.

Despite only being drafted in 2023, Johnson is one of the vocal leaders for the offense. Earning the 24-year-old’s respect speaks volume for LaFleur’s impact and offense on the franchise already.