The New York Giants made a notable move during their bye week, parting ways with assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox following a 33-15 loss to the Patriots on December 1. While the timing raised some eyebrows, the decision appears to be the result of growing internal tension rather than purely performance-based metrics.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka declined to comment when asked about the dismissal during Wednesday’s media availability, keeping things close to the vest. But according to reports, the situation may have come to a head over something as seemingly minor as a change in seating arrangements on the team’s flight back from New England.
Assistant coaches were reportedly moved to the back of the plane-an unusual switch from their typical seats at the front. While it’s unclear why that detail mattered so much or what exactly unfolded afterward, it seems to have played a role in the final decision.
What is clear is that the relationship between Kafka and Cox had been strained. Cox was known to be tight with former head coach Brian Daboll, who was dismissed earlier in the season. That dynamic likely played into the friction, as Kafka, now steering the ship in an interim role, looks to reshape the staff in a way that fits his leadership style.
For a team sitting at 2-11, these kinds of internal shakeups aren’t surprising. The Giants are deep in the throes of a difficult season, and with the playoffs long out of reach, the focus has shifted to evaluating personnel-on and off the field. Firing a position coach during a bye week suggests this wasn’t just about X’s and O’s, but about chemistry, alignment, and setting the tone for what comes next.
The Giants return to action this Sunday, hosting the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. With just a handful of games left, expect more evaluation and possibly more changes as the organization begins to look ahead to 2026.