New York Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is a finalist for the New Orleans Saints job but if he doesn’t get it, he can expect additional responsibility in East Rutherford next season.
Should Kafka return to the Giants in 2025, there is a “strong sentiment” in the building that head coach Brian Daboll will return play-calling duties to him, reports Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
There is strong sentiment inside the Giants building for head coach Brian Daboll to give up the play-calling duties, and that sentiment has nothing to do with co-owner John Mara recently mentioning Daboll should at least consider doing that for the 2025 season.
There is a feeling that by handing that responsibility back to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Daboll would be in a better position to manage the entire team — sitting in on defensive meetings and expanding his focus to make sure small details do not fall through the cracks.
Daboll had stripped Kafka of play-calling duties multiple times throughout the 2023 season and then outright in 2024. The former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator assumed that role but the Giants’ offense regressed.
With Kafka as the full-time play-caller in 2022, the Giants’ offense ranked 15th in points and 18th in yards. In 2023, those rankings dipped to 30th in points and 29th in yards.
Under Daboll as the full-time play-caller in 2024, the Giants offense ranked 31st in points and 30th in yards.
If Kafka does get hired in New Orleans, the Giants will have to pivot but general manager Joe Schoen admits he “selfishly hopes” that does not happen.
“Very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities,” Schoen said on Tuesday. “So, selfishly, I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he’s well-deserving. (He’s) a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”
The Saints could make their decision as early as Wednesday.
