The Brian Daboll era is officially over for the New York Giants. He's reportedly been relieved of his duties as the team's head coach following another fourth-quarter collapse and concussion evaluation for burgeoning rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Daboll's firing isn't necessarily surprising, and perhaps long overdue in the eyes of some, including Giants fans. But the franchise has elected to move forward in a different direction -- without the 2022 Coach of the Year.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is the next man up for the Giants (h/t NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport). He's garnered interest for several head coaching vacancies over the past few hiring cycles, albeit to no avail. Nevertheless, Daboll's unceremonious exit presents him with a prime chance to show why clubs have inquired about his services.
Brian Daboll firing presents Giants' interim HC Mike Kafka prime chance to earn full-time job
Kafka has interviewed to lead the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. He's notably made it past the preliminary conversations stage and been considered a finalist for multiple jobs. A strong audition with the Giants could be what kicks the door down after having his foot in it for so long.
One man's loss is another's gain. Whether it be in New York or elsewhere, Kafka can parlay his newfound opportunity into the full-time gig he's been striving for. Inheriting the Giants' current circumstances is far from ideal, though beggars can't be choosers, and maximizing a messy situation can also be a double-edged sword.
Obviously, Kafka would rather have talented rookie running back Cam Skattebo and star wide receiver Malik Nabers (and Dart) at his disposal. Yet, showcasing the ability to be an effective play-caller and keep the Giants competitive and actively engaged despite the personnel limitations would certainly merit attention. That would arguably be more impressive than an assistant pushing the right buttons on a contender with a loaded roster.
Before taking his talents to the sidelines, Kafka spent one season as a quarterback in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. He entered the coaching ranks in 2016 as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, Northwestern.
It didn't take long for Kafka to work his way up to the pros. He was an assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs under future Hall of Famer Andy Reid from 2017 through 2021 before landing with the Giants.