Mike

Kafka

Kafka will be the Giants’ associate head coach in 2024, in addition to being the offensive coordinator. He was most recently interviewed by the Seahawks for their head coaching vacancy, though that job went to Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks were also interested in him for their offensive coordinator vacancy, though the Giants blocked that interview request. Kafka now stays with the Giants and takes on the associate head coach title, setting himself up to be a head coaching candidate again next offseason.

Kafka is firmly in the mix to replace Pete Carroll as Seattle’s head coach, though the team is also talking with Rams DC Raheem Morris, Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, and Raiders DC Patrick Graham. In New York, Kafka pieces together reasonable offensive production after Daniel Jones’ season-ending injury and coaxed the Giants offense to some late-season success. He is the only offensive-minded coaching candidate the Seahawks are considering right now.

Kafka has received multiple head coaching interviews over the last few seasons, but no team has been willing to take a shot on the former quarterback turned coordinator. Kafka, 36, entered the league as a fourth-round pick by the Eagles in 2010 but has had coaching stops in Kansas City and New York since retiring after the 2015 season. Kafka helped turn the Giants into a playoff contender in 2022, but the team took a massive step back this season. Still, it’s possible he will secure a gig this offseason. He’s already met with the Titans and should have a chance to speak with the Seahawks sometime this week.

Kafka is one of six candidates linked to the Titans so far. He has yet to receive any other interview requests. The 36-year-old oversaw one of the league’s very worst offensives in 2023 but had far more success under coach Brian Daboll in 2022 and is a noteworthy Andy Reid disciple. He’s the kind of coach who would be more of a pedigree and interview bet than on-field no-brainer. It’s highly doubtful he ends up getting the call to replace Mike Vrabel.

The Titans have wasted no time looking to replace Mike Vrabel and are casting a wide net from established head coaches to current defensive and offensive coordinators with no head coaching experience. Kafka was hired by the New York Giants in 2022, to be their offensive coordinator under newly-hired head coach Brian Daboll and has served in that capacity for two years. He was also a popular name on the coaching circuit last season, interviewing with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals for their head coach positions and getting second interviews with the Texans and Cardinals before ultimately losing out on both jobs.

Daboll and Martindale were reportedly “in a bad place” earlier in the season, with reports suggesting the two could be heading for a split at year’s end. While Daboll said he is open to changes within his staff, it sounds like Martindale and OC Mike Kafka will both be returning in 2024 barring any unexpected changes. The Giants defense finished 2023 ranked 26th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed. Martindale’s squad had their share of highlights despite their struggles, but things will need to turn around drastically for him to survive the 2024 season.

For those keeping score at home, that would suggest Giants OC Mike Kafka is no longer in the running for the Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy. Weinfuss added in his report that the team could make a decision on its coach as early as Monday night, bringing an end to one of the longer searches of the offseason. The Cardinals have already met twice with Anarumo and are scheduled to meet with Gannon on Monday. The Cardinals struggled offensively last season even when Kyler Murray was healthy, but their defense left a lot to be desired, ranked 31st in points allowed per game (26.4) and 21st in yards allowed per game.

Callahan got a second interview with the Colts and was one of the finalists for the job. Giants DC Don Martindale and OC Mike Kafka are also out of the running in Indy. Eagles OC Shane Steichen is the favorite to be hired as the Colts’ next head coach.

All three assistants have been given second interviews. It means in-house DC Vance Joseph is out, along with Lions DC Aaron Glenn and Bengals OC Brian Callahan. The Cardinals seem to be leaning toward a defensive mind, which could be very tricky seeing as the franchise’s entire future depends on someone gelling with and unlocking Kyler Murray.

Kafka interviewed twice with the Texans and also with the Colts and Panthers this offseason but will be amongst four head coach candidates brought back to Arizona for a second look for their vacant head coaching position. The Cardinals’ coaching search has taken longer than in other places around the league, with reports surfacing recently that hint at the root cause being the recent extension of quarterback Kyler Murray. Also being brought back to Arizona for a second interview are Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.