Move over, Brian Daboll—there’s a new (interim) sheriff in town. After three straight miserable seasons, the New York Giants gave their fourth‑year coach the axe. In relief steps assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. And thank goodness for that.
Some unsavory reports came out after the firing, suggesting a toxic work environment. Whether Daboll got a fair shake or not, it’s clear that the lack of accountability and stability played a major role. But none of that mattered more than the absence of wins.
Coming into Sunday’s game at 2‑8 and losers of four straight, the 38‑year‑old interim was facing quite the debut against a playoff‑hopeful Green Bay Packers squad. For the most part, he didn’t disappoint. When the clock hit 0:00, the final score was another Giants loss, 27‑20.
Mike Kafka’s first game shows the Giants needed a reset
Say what you want about another loss, but this one won’t fall squarely on Kafka’s shoulders. The team played hard for all 60 minutes. Without rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart — out with a concussion — the Jameis Winston‑led offense had its chances, but in the end, two costly turnovers in the last minute sealed the deal.
There was a lot to like about the interim's coaching debut. Look no further than the G-Men winning the opening coin toss, choosing to receive, and watching the offense drive straight down the field for a touchdown. It was exactly the start the first-time coach could’ve wanted.
Kafka got the run game going early and often: 38 carries for 142 yards and all three rushing scores. And newcomer Isaiah Hodgins, signed just days earlier, caught five passes for 57 yards.
The defense looked more engaged, too, aside from Deonte Banks’ continued disappointing tackling efforts. And the special‑teams issues? They’re still there. That’s what happens when the front office ignores years of broken pieces.
Still, for an audition, Kafka did about as good as one could ask. Whether he’s genuinely viewed as a long‑term option remains to be seen. But his first showing had enough sense and edge to suggest he might not be totally out of his depth. He had this team in the game to the finish — without their starting QB, No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers, No. 2 receiver in Darius Slayton, and No. 1 running back in Cam Skattebo on the field. That’s noteworthy.
The rumor mill is already running — Bill Belichick, Mike McCarthy, Lou Anarumo are all names floating for the Giants’ next head coach. Don’t be surprised if Kafka’s showing this week, along with the next seven, throws a real wrench into the mix. He's clearly doing things differently than Daboll.
Kafka’s first game won’t erase years of organizational dysfunction, but it did something Dabs couldn’t: it gave fans a reason to care again. The season might be gone, but the Giants looked like they might be moving in a different direction. At least they didn't blow a double-digit fourth-quarter lead this time. That's progress.