Mike LaFleur surprised by brother, Packers coach Matt LaFleur ahead of Hall of Fame game

Mike LaFleur may have felt like he was sailing uncharted waters ahead of the Arizona Cardinals playing in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday, his first as an NFL head coach.

He got a heavy dose of familiarity while being interviewed on “Football Night in America” through an earpiece as his brother, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, made a surprise appearance and ragged on his younger sibling.

“What are we thinking about doing a pregame interview, don’t you have a team to coach?” Matt teased to begin the surprise interaction.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur surprises Mike LaFleur on NBC ahead of Mike's debut as an NFL head coach with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I did not expect that right there. I appreciate that, guys. That's pretty cool. I appreciate that… Now you've got me a little bit emotional." pic.twitter.com/e0MnalpnhW

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 7, 2026

Mike had his quip back at the ready: “I thought you guys had practice and meetings, but I guess you’re letting your coordinators do that.”

Matt, entering his eighth season as the Packers’ head coach, had his mind on logistics and made sure Mike had his challenge flag ready to go, even in a preseason setting. Mike admitted he did not and that he likely would’ve forgotten about it otherwise.

The younger LaFleur said he let the officials know that if the challenge does have to be used, that he won’t use it as authoritatively as the elder did in his debut season.

Matt LaFleur spikes the red challenge flag with authority #PHIvsGB pic.twitter.com/ChWUFMR85Z

— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) September 27, 2019

Matt has been a supportive older brother as Mike nears his first regular season in the role, as he was present for Mike’s Cardinals introduction back in February.

The brothers are set for an on-field reunion later this month as the Cardinals will hold a joint practice with the Packers on Aug. 26, two days ahead of a preseason matchup in Green Bay.

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