5 Mike Kafka replacements the Giants should already be thinking about
There's no doubt that the NY Giants offense has been abysmal this season. The offensive line has been the team's weakest link, as they are not doing what is needed to protect the Blue Blue's weapons. Two different quarterbacks and three different running backs have suffered injuries this year, which has led to head coach Brian Daboll relying on rookies and inexperienced players who weren't even topics of discussion during training camp.
Additionally, the Giants offense is ranked last in the NFL in total yards (2,592), points (118), and total points per game (11.8). New York needs help driving down the field against all defensive opponents. Giants' punter Jamie Gillan leads the league in punts with 57 this season. Through the last 10 weeks, there are so many players and personnel that frustrated Big Blue fans can point the finger for their lack of success as they sit last in the NFC East, but at the end of the day, the struggles fall on offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The Giants need to make changes this offseason and rethink their offensive scheme, especially if they plan on taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The G-Men are projected to have the No. 2 overall pick, which they will have to make a big decision that could change how their offense looks at the moment. With that said, if Daboll and Joe Schoen look to replace Kafka, here are five options for them to consider:
5. Byron Leftwich
One of the options the Giants could look into is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. The 43-year-old assistant was a quarterback who played for several teams throughout his professional career, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he served as Ben Roethlisberger's backup in a run to a Super Bowl XLIII victory.
Leftwich also starred at the collegiate level with Marshall, where he was a two-time Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Following his playing career, Leftwich pursued coaching, where he succeeded in the NFL.
From 2016 to 2018, Leftwich served on the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff as an intern, quarterbacks coach, and eventually the interim offensive coordinator following Mike McCoy's departure from the organization. The following year, the Cardinals fired Leftwich after the team finished 3-13, their worst record since 2000.
Leftwich would then join Bruce Arians' staff as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was crucial in leading the team to their second Super Bowl championship in 2020 with the help of Tom Brady at quarterback. After the SB run, Leftwich was considered a top candidate for several head coaching jobs, but never received any offers and was eventually let go by the Bucs in 2022.