Mike Kafka could call plays for Giants next year … if he isn’t the head coach in New Orleans

Report indicates that the Giants would prefer head coach Brian Daboll gives up that responsibility

Mike Kafka was shuffled aside by the New York Giants in 2024, when head coach Brian Daboll took over offensive play-calling duties from his offensive coordinator. Kafka got assistant head coach added to his title, but seemed to have an undefined role during on-field practices during the season.

That might change in 2025. If Kafka isn’t the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, that is.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported from the Senior Bowl on Tuesday that “there is strong sentiment inside the Giants building for head coach Brian Daboll to give up the play-calling duties.”

When he spoke to reporters after the announcement that Daboll and GM Joe Schoen were retaining their jobs, co-owner John Mara questioned whether Daboll calling the offensive plays was best for the team.

“I talked to him about, ‘Do you really believe that it’s in our best interest for you to continue calling the plays?,’” Mara said. ‘I said, ‘I’m not going to demand that you do one thing or the other. But are you better off letting somebody else call the plays?’ That’s a discussion that we’re going to continue to have.”

Schoen has always let Daboll make the final decision on who the play-caller would be. The GM, though, has always favored a CEO-style head coach.

The Giants went 3-14 and finished 31st in the league in scoring with Daboll in full control of the offense last season.

Kafka called the plays during Daboll’s first two seasons as head coach. He told Schwartz that he and Daboll “haven’t gone down there yet,” in terms of discussing the play-calling for next season.

Kafka and the Saints

To even be considered for a return to play-calling, Kafka will have to still be on the Giants’ staff next season. Right now, whether that will happen is clearly up in the air.

Kafka has had two interviews with the Saints, and it is clear that he is a strong candidate for the job. New Orleans has interviewed Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver twice, and reportedly has interest in meeting again with former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

Increasingly, though, there is speculation about Kafka getting that job.

One report said it “seems like Giants OC Mike Kafka is the guy” in New Orleans. Adam Schefter said that Kafka and Weaver each had “pretty impressive” interviews with the Saints.

NFL insider Tony Pauline recently reported this about the Saints’ head-coaching job:

“What the Saints will do for a head coach is anyone’s guess. Time and time [again], people say they have no clue what the organization will do.”

Paulin added that talks between McCarthy and the Saints “have not gone well and people in the New Orleans organization are not enamored with the former Cowboys coach.”

Kafka, 37, has had interest from teams around the league in head-coaching vacancies in each of the last three offseasons. The Giants’ poor performances the past two seasons don’t seem to have quelled anyone’s enthusiam for considering Kafka as a head coach.

Here is Kafka at the Senior Bowl, where he is currently working as head coach of the National Team, talking about his interviews with the Saints:

Schoen is certainly aware he could be losing Kafka.

“Selfishly I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job but if he does he’s well-deserving,” Schoen said of Kafka Tuesday at the Senior Bowl. “Fortunate to have him on our staff …

“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.”