MOBILE, Ala. — 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 Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator, 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.
One possible roadblock to that plan: If Kafka is no longer employed by the Giants in the near future.
Kafka is a finalist for the Saints head coaching job, having met with them in New Orleans for an in-person second interview. The Saints, after speaking with Kafka, flew to Philadelphia to meet with Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and it appears Moore could be the favorite.
“Selfishly I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job but if he does he’s well-deserving,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen said of Kafka Tuesday at the Senior Bowl. “Fortunate to have him on our staff.”
Kafka is a busy guy. He is serving as the head coach of the National team this week at the Senior Bowl and put his squad through its first practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. He said his agent and his family is alerting him to any potential movement with the Saints job.
Clearly, Kafka is helping his cause as a candidate. He has interviewed for head coach openings after the last three seasons, even though the Giants’ offense had floundered. Kafka called the plays in 2022 and ’23 but Daboll called the plays in 2024, as the Giants went 3-14 and finished 31st in the NFL in scoring.
“There’s a reason these teams continue to interview him for head coaching jobs,” Schoen said. “He’s got a great reputation, not only in our building but around the league. Former player who played quarterback, came up under Andy Reid, called plays in a playoff season his first year as an offensive coordinator. Very detailed, organized, smart coach, god leadership ability.”
Kafka, 37, called meeting with the Saints “a great experience” and said each interview prepares him for the next. Clearly, he allows his personality to show through more in these interviews than he does during his weekly media sessions during the season with the Giants.
“I think the most important things when you go into those interviews is to be yourself,” he said. “You present your plan with confidence, you go through as many details as you possibly can and really give them a good perspective on how you’d handle things.”
Kafka said Daboll has not yet broached the subject of who will call the plays this season.
“We haven’t gone down there yet,” Kafka said. “We’re still so early before the season starts. We’ll address that at some point.”
Despite having the play-calling taken away from him, Kafka does not sound as if he is looking to go elsewhere.
“Listen, I’m happy to be back,” Kafka said. “I love Dabes, I love working for the organization, the Mara and Tisch family, Joe [Schoen] and his staff. They’re all down here, we’ll probably get to a dinner at some point.”
Credit: Source link
