It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the New York Giants look like a drastically different team from two weeks ago. Since Mike Kafka took over as interim head coach for Big Blue, he's lost two close games to superior opponents, but is elevating this offense in ways Brian Daboll never could.
The 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions saw the Giants surpass 500 yards of total offense, as Jameis Winston threw for 366 yards, two touchdowns, and caught a third in lieu of the injured Jaxson Dart. So after the disheartening loss, it was no surprise to see Jameis praise Kafka after the loss.
"He's been doing phenomenal. He's an excellent head coach, he's poised, he's confident. We have to help him out, myself included"
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 23, 2025
Jameis Winston on Mike Kafka: pic.twitter.com/xdTz3GDzvk
The former No. 1 overall pick said that the 38-year-old is "an excellent head coach", before taking accountability for the lack of help he's been given. Kafka has received head coaching interviews before, but knowing that the locker room is rallying behind him is an extremely promising silver lining.
Mike Kafka has the unconditional support of the Giants' locker room
Winston's words hold weight, as he is one of the most trusted voices in New York's locker room, but it means even more knowing he's delivered back-to-back impressive starts since leapfrogging Russell Wilson to be the backup quarterback. And knowing he'll remain behind Dart will help fans rest easier.
Daboll was holding this team back in so many ways, so knowing that Kafka is doing more with less is simultaneously exciting and pathetic. Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo will miss the rest of the year for this Giants' offense, so fans can only imagine how electric Kafka's offense would be at full strength.
Even amid consecutive losses that eliminated the G-Men from playoff contention, the fourth-year OC has done an admirable job in stabilizing a locker room that was clearly fractured as Daboll was on his way out. And unlike his predecessor, he's finally addressing the issues with this team, as he finally fired Shane Bowen on Monday after another defensive collapse.
The Giants are an organization that has promoted coaches from within before. Back in 2016, Ben McAdoo was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach, but that decision failed spectacularly, as McAdoo only lasted two seasons at the helm after a tumultuous coaching stint.
However, McAdoo's failures should not be an indictment of Kafka. Prior to landing in New York, the former Northwestern standout was the quarterback's coach and passing game coordinator in Kansas City, where he worked closely with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to help ignite one of the NFL's best offenses.
Even if he doesn't become the next head coach for the Giants, Kafka has undoubtedly proven he is deserving of an offensive coordinator job elsewhere. Or maybe the new regime will want to keep him around, who knows.