The New Orleans Saints front office has begun their process of taking in-person interviews starting this week. One of the first candidates that will get their shot at a second interview will be New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shortly after Kafka’s time in Kansas City, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid delivered some raving reviews about his former pass game coordinator a few years back. During the 2023 coaching cycle, Reid personally endorsed Kafka to Michael Bidwell owner of the Arizona Cardinals.
In his own words, Reid said that, “He’s a very intelligent, great human being. The quarterback will love him. He’ll challenge him to be better than he even is now. But he’ll do a great job and challenge the team. The guys will respond. He played in the National Football League.”
Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes shared that opinion. He had kind words for his former quarterback coach, who spent countless hours helping shape the young signal caller into what he is today.
“Coach Kafka is a special person and a special coach. He kind of took me (under his wing), when he first got here he was quality control and that was my first year as a rookie. I spent a lot of hours with coach Kafka where he was teaching me the playbook and teaching me how to become a quarterback in the NFL. That continued for a long time,” Mahomes reflected. “I knew when he left here, he was going to be a head coach somewhere soon.”
Many might not remember but Kafka’s ties to Andy Reid go way back to the 2010 draft when he was selected by Reid in the 4th round while he was still with the Philadelphia Eagles. Reid acknowledged his leadership qualities and competitive spirit as some of the intangibles he possessed as a player, summing it up as he’s “He’s wired right.” These traits likely translated well into his coaching career.
Kafka, still at only 37 years old, will get another shot at making a lasting impression on an NFL organization. With a second look here in New Orleans, his candidacy feels like one to seriously consider going forward.
