Three offseasons in a row, Mike Kafka obtained interviews for NFL head-coaching vacancies.
That included earlier this 12 months, when the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints thought of the offensive-minded Kafka earlier than hiring Ben Johnson and Kellen Moore, respectively.
Kafka now will get his first probability to run an NFL crew, because the Giants named him their interim head coach after firing Brian Daboll on Monday.
Right here’s what you should learn about Kafka:
GIANTS HISTORY
Kafka, 38, had been the Giants’ offensive coordinator since 2022, when Daboll added him to the teaching employees shortly after his personal hiring.
The Giants promoted Kafka to assistant head coach earlier than the 2024 season whereas protecting him in place because the OC.
Kafka has been the Giants’ offensive playcaller for a lot of his tenure, although Daboll dealt with these duties in 2024. Kafka resumed the playcaller function this season.
The Giants (2-8) rank 14th within the NFL in yards per sport (332.9) and are tied for twenty fourth in factors per sport (21.7).
Monday’s elevation of Kafka ought to present no less than some continuity for Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, even with Daboll not within the image.
FORMER PRO
Kafka performed quarterback at Northwestern from 2005-09, then went within the fourth spherical of the 2010 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles.
He by no means began an NFL sport however made 4 appearances, all in 2011 with the Eagles, together with a loss to the Giants through which he accomplished 4-of-7 passes for 35 yards and two interceptions.
Kafka additionally frolicked with the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals earlier than leaving the NFL after the 2015 season.
COACHING BACKGROUND
The Chicago-born Kafka spent one season as a graduate assistant with Northwestern in 2016 earlier than becoming a member of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as an offensive high quality management coach in 2017.
He spent 5 years on the Chiefs employees beneath Andy Reid, who was his head coach as a participant in Philly.
Kafka was the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach from 2018-21 and in addition served because the passing sport coordinator within the last two of these seasons.
With Kansas Metropolis, Kafka helped develop Patrick Mahomes, whom the Chiefs drafted in 2017.
Kafka received Tremendous Bowl LIV with the Chiefs in 2020.
ON THE RISE
Kafka additionally interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans in latest seasons, and he served as one of many head coaches within the 2025 Senior Bowl in a nod to his ascension as a candidate.
New Orleans performed two interviews with Kafka final winter earlier than hiring Moore.
Over the summer season, Kafka was requested how his expertise as a former participant helps him as a coach.
“Each coach brings their own touch and feel to how they approach the game, and I think reaching the players, getting them to understand the importance of certain things, whether it’s on the field, off the field, the fundamental part of it and just sharing your experiences,” Kafka mentioned in August.
“For me, that’s been probably the coolest thing, being in those same seats with the guys, being in the locker room with the guys, being able to relate to the players and understanding what they’re going through.”
