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New York Giants Coach Mike Kafka Details Plan For Developing Rookie

Bonisiwe Shabane
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new york giants coach mike kafka details plan for developing rookie

If Joe Schoen is still around to lead the search for the next head coach of the New York Giants, the embattled general manager faces a Jaxson Dart problem. Schoen must identify the right coaching setup to safeguard the development of the Giants‘ burgeoning star at quarterback, a structure that will hinge on interim boss and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. The latter’s role in managing the crucial early stages of Dart’s career is why one Giants insider believes Kafka will stick around after this season, but not as head coach. Instead, Dan Duggan of The Athletic has predicted Kafka will be joined by a former Giants assistant well known to Schoen. Senior writer Duggan named ex-Giants defensive backs coach and current Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as the early favorite to replace Brian Daboll. Duggan thinks the Giants’ coaching search “ends up with Anarumo and Kafka staying as OC.”

It's too early to credibly handicap the search, but if I had to predict the three favorites as of today, I'd go with: 1-Lou Anarumo2-Mike McCarthy3-Marcus Freeman The New York Giants have handed the reins over, temporarily, to Mike Kafka. They fired Brian Daboll on Monday. Kafka takes over as interim head coach, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's an important call, one that could define the next stages of Kafka's career because of how it ties in to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Dart, the No. 25 overall pick in April, is the Giants' present and future. He's the face of the franchise, the franchise QB, the hope for all that is to come in New York's red and blue. MORE: The Brian Daboll firing is all about Jaxson Dart Times are changing for the New York Giants, who on Wednesday officially kicked off the Mike Kafka trial period with their first practice, a walkthrough. Kafka, named the interim head coach following the dismissal of Brian Daboll on Monday, addressed approximately 50 members of the media before hitting the field for his first practice in his new role.

“This is a league of incredibly difficult situations,” Kafka said in thanking Daboll for allowing him to be the team’s offensive coordinator. “In terms of where we're at right now, I'm excited to lead this group. You know, focusing each day, taking this one step at a time with the players and the coaches and getting organized. “I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge.” What can Mike Kafka change right away as the Giants interim head coach? Brian Daboll was fired by the New York Giants Monday afternoon, with offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka taking over for the remainder of the season.

It took four years, but Kafka finally got his head-coaching opportunity. It might not have happened the way he would have preferred, but Kafka now has the chance to show the NFL world what he can do. The Giants have plenty of work to do and don’t really have much in the way of post-season prospects. However, this is the best possible job interview that Kafka could hope for. He’s been a finalist for several head-coaching vacancies since becoming the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Now he has the opportunity to not just tell his prospective employers how he would run a team, but rather show them how he would do it.

So let’s look at some other changes Kafka could make as the Giants’ interim head coach. New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) greets Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talks to reporters before NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., June 5, 2025.

(AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File) NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Kafka may have a major decision to make this week after taking over as interim coach of the New York Giants following the firing of Brian Daboll on Monday. Jaxson Dart left the Giants’ defeat Sunday at Chicago after getting concussed, and it’s unclear whether the rookie quarterback will be available to face Green Bay this weekend. If not, Kafka, his staff and the front office have a choice between Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Wilson signed to be the starting QB and held that position through spring workouts and training camp and for the first three games of the season.

He has been the backup since getting benched by Daboll in favor of Dart after an 0-3 start. In the most trying times of the Giants’ season, Brian Daboll resisted the public outcry to fire Shane Bowen. That loyalty wasn’t lost on Bowen, who fell on the sword Thursday for the four blown double-digit leads that contributed to Daboll’s firing earlier this week. Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers. “There’s a responsibility that falls on me,” Bowen said. “We haven’t been good enough defensively, particularly closing out games.

Evaluating everything — scheme, personnel, different situations. We have to find ways to win these games and not give it up in the fourth.” Interim head coach Mike Kafka is a former NFL quarterback, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator who suddenly finds himself standing behind the defensive huddle in practices.

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