The NY Giants fired Jason Garrett, following a disappointing 26-game tenure as offensive coordinator, but several possible replacements are out there
The NY Giants fired embattled offensive coordinator Jason Garrett Tuesday, hours after falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-10, in a disjointed, uninspired effort on national television against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Garrett’s offenses have underachieved throughout his 26-game tenure as Giants‘ offensive coordinator, and has overseen the NFL’s 32nd ranked red zone offense this season.
Compounding the lack of productivity, Garrett’s most vital task was overseeing the development of young quarterback Daniel Jones, who continues to struggle with consistency and protecting the football in his third NFL season since being chosen No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In Garrett’s wake, tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will ascend to play-calling duties, after serving in that role in an interim basis last year when Garrett was sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19.
The final seven games of this season might serve as an addition for Kitchens to replace Garrett on a full-time basis in the role next season.
Here’s a look at four possible long-term replacements for Jason Garrett as NY Giants offensive coordinator:
1) Freddie Kitchens
Kitchens was one of Judge’s first hires in 2020, brought onto the coaching staff even before Garrett’s hire was official, underscoring how Judge views him as a coach.
Last season, the NY Giants produced 288 yards of total offense in Kitchens’ lone game as play-caller, against the Cleveland Browns, despite Jones being out due to injury and Colt McCoy at quarterback.
Kitchens has head coaching experience, as well, which could continue to prove vital to Judge, presuming the staff is in place beyond this season.
Mike Kafka, Kansas City Chiefs QB Coach
If the NY Giants are going to remain invested in Daniel Jones was the quarterback moving forward, the organization would be wise to hire an offensive coordinator who has a history of working with some of the game’s premier passers.
While much of Patrick Mahomes’ development is a testament to Andy Reid, Kafka has been one of Reid’s top lieutenants since their time together with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kafka has worked under Reid, and Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, along with rising head coaching candidate Eric Bienemy, so he has obtained a wealth of knowledge from some of the top offensive minds across the NFL.
The Chiefs’ quality control coach in 2017, Kafka has been the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach since 2018, helping guide Kansas City’s high-octane offense to consecutive Super Bowl berths over that span.
Josh McCown
Former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, who has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets in recent years, could slide into the role as NY Giants’ offensive coordinator thanks to his QB experience and recent coaching experience, as well.
Even before he retired from the NFL, during his lone season in Philadelphia, McCown has been coaching high school football in his home state of North Carolina.
McCown’s coaching prowess is no joke, after he was interviewed for the Houston Texans’ head coaching vacancy this past winter.
Because McCown, a career 60 percent passer with 17,731 passing yards, 98 touchdowns and 82 interceptions on his resumè has been in the league as recently as two years ago, he could serve as a mentor to Jones in his development.
Troy Brown, New England Patriots WRs coach
Given Joe Judge’s relationship with an influence from Bill Belichick, Judge could pluck a member of his mentor’s coaching staff to serve in a top role on his.
Troy Brown has followed a similar path to the one Judge left behind in New England, after serving as running backs coach and kick returners coach in 2020, he’s now the wide receiver’s coach — a group that Judge coached in addition to his special teams coordinator duties during his final season on the Patriots’ staff.
The NY Giants have invested significant resources in the wide receiver position; $45 million guaranteed to Kenny Golladay via free agency, and a first-round pick in Kadarius Toney. Brown’s expertise at the position and relatability to current players, could make him an attractive option, especially given his similar trajectory to Judge.