The Detroit Lions are in the thick of their search for a new offensive coordinator, and while the front office hasn’t made anything official, four names have emerged as confirmed candidates: Mike McDaniel, Jake Peetz, Tee Martin, and Mike Kafka. It’s safe to assume the list is longer - with likely interviews of internal staffers like Scottie Montgomery, Hank Fraley, and Mark Brunell - but for now, let’s focus on the four external candidates we know about.
Among that group, Mike Kafka stands out - and not just because he’s the most recognizable name. Despite a rocky stint as the Giants’ offensive coordinator, there’s more to his résumé than the numbers suggest.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Giants’ offense under Kafka didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard. Since taking over as OC in 2022, New York never cracked the top 15 in points scored or the top 16 in offensive DVOA. And when you consider what the Colts managed to do with Daniel Jones in 2025, it raises real questions about how the Giants utilized their quarterback during Kafka’s tenure.
But here’s where it gets interesting - and why Kafka remains a compelling candidate.
First, his reputation around the league is strong. Despite the lack of eye-popping stats, Kafka has consistently drawn interest from teams looking for head coaches.
He interviewed for top jobs in 2023 (Panthers, Texans, Colts), 2024 (Titans, Seahawks), and 2025 (Bears, Saints). That doesn’t happen by accident.
Teams don’t bring you in for those conversations unless they believe in your leadership, your football IQ, and your potential to elevate a program.
And while the passing game in New York was inconsistent, Kafka found success on the ground - and that’s no small thing. In 2022, the Giants finished fourth in rushing yards.
In 2025, they were fifth. The only significant dip came in 2024, when head coach Brian Daboll took over play-calling and Saquon Barkley was no longer in the backfield.
That year, New York slipped out of the top half in rushing production. The correlation is hard to ignore.
Kafka’s ability to scheme a run game that works - even with limited talent - could be especially appealing to a Lions team that prides itself on physicality and balance. Detroit’s offensive identity under Ben Johnson was built on a strong O-line and a commitment to the run, and Kafka has shown he can work within that mold.
Need a more direct example? Just rewind to the Giants’ matchup with the Lions last season - a game where New York was missing its starting quarterback (Jaxson Dart), top running back (Cam Skattebo), and No. 1 receiver (Malik Nabers).
On paper, it should’ve been a blowout. Instead, Kafka dialed up a 517-yard offensive performance and dropped 27 points on Detroit.
The Giants ran the ball 39 times, leaned on Jameis Winston (who threw for 366 yards), and turned Wan’Dale Robinson into a one-man wrecking crew (9 catches, 156 yards). There were trick plays, fourth-down gambles, and a clear sense that Kafka wasn’t just playing to survive - he was playing to win.
Sure, it’s just one game. But it was the kind of game that sticks with you. It showed creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to be aggressive - all traits that align with the Lions’ culture under Dan Campbell.
And while the Andy Reid coaching tree has had its fair share of ups and downs - Matt Nagy and Pat Shurmur didn’t exactly set the world on fire - it’s also produced some of the league’s most respected leaders, like Sean McDermott, John Harbaugh, and Doug Pederson. Kafka, who played and coached under Reid, carries that pedigree with him.
Bottom line: If the Lions want an OC who brings fresh ideas, a proven ability to run the ball, and the respect of his peers around the league, Mike Kafka deserves serious consideration. He might not be the flashiest pick, but there’s substance behind the résumé - and that’s exactly what Detroit needs as it looks to build on its recent success.