The New York Giants returned from their late-season bye with a familiar question hanging over them: how do you finish strong in a season that’s already gone off the rails? Sitting at 2-11, with an interim head coach and a roster riddled with injuries, the Giants are shifting focus from the standings to something more internal - growth, accountability, and setting the tone for what comes next.
Kafka’s Message: One Day at a Time
Interim head coach Mike Kafka, now three games into his new role, isn’t selling false hope or making grand promises. His message to the team is grounded and clear: forget the record, forget the noise - just get better, day by day.
“I think what the messaging has been is really just focusing on today, focusing on this week,” Kafka said as the team preps for a divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders. “Not look ahead four weeks in the future, just focus on how we can improve.”
That’s the tone Kafka has struck since taking over - not trying to salvage a lost season with smoke and mirrors, but challenging players and coaches alike to maximize every rep, every meeting, every opportunity.
“As an NFL football player, you want to be able to maximize yourself,” he added. “That’s our challenge as a coaching staff - to continue to maximize our players. So, putting them in a good position, continuing to have an aggressive mindset, and then attacking this week with great urgency.”
Bye Week Reflection: A Coach in Real Time
Kafka used the bye week for more than just rest - it was a chance to take a hard look at his first few weeks in charge. And what he saw was both revealing and instructive.
“Had some time to reflect and think about the first three weeks, think about the future of it and what we wanted to get accomplished,” Kafka said.
In that short span, he’s made some tough calls - firing defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, parting ways with assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox, and benching rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter twice. These aren’t just personnel decisions; they’re formative moments for a first-time head coach figuring out how to steer a team through turbulence.
“If there’s problems and there’s issues, then being able to be a problem solver and be an asset and clean those things up - that’s what I’m trying to do,” Kafka said. “And the things that are working really well, you build on that.”
The self-scouting went deep - down to the play-calling level. Kafka admitted he’s been reevaluating his own approach on the headset.
“I’m looking at call sheets saying, ‘Why didn’t I ever get back to this play or this series of ideas?’” he said. “Just being really critical of myself on things that our players do really well and how can we get to those things more.”
That kind of introspection is rare during the grind of a season. But for Kafka, this isn’t just about salvaging December - it’s about learning how to lead.
Injury Updates: Some Light at the End of the Tunnel
The Giants also opened practice windows for two players returning from injured reserve: cornerback Art Green and linebacker Darius Muasau. Green has been sidelined since Week 8 with a hamstring issue, while Muasau’s ankle injury dates back to Week 9 against the 49ers. Their return to practice doesn’t guarantee game action, but it’s a step forward for a team that’s been hit hard by injuries.
There’s also cautious optimism around linebacker Micah McFadden, who hasn’t played since injuring his foot in the season opener - ironically, also against Washington.
“I think he does have a chance,” Kafka said. “Don’t know when.
Don’t have a timeline there yet, but I think he definitely has a chance. He’s certainly walking around with his chest pumped out a little bit more these days.”
McFadden’s energy hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kafka said the linebacker is “chomping at the bit” to get back on the field, and once the training staff gives the green light, he’ll be ready to go.
As for edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) and running back Tyrone Tracy (hip), their status for Sunday remains uncertain. Kafka said he’ll have a better sense after Wednesday’s full practice.
On Bryan Cox’s Departure: A Quiet but Firm Decision
Kafka declined to get into specifics regarding the recent firing of assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox, keeping the reasoning behind the move in-house. But he acknowledged the difficulty of the decision - and the weight that comes with the role.
“Some of [the decisions] have been very public. Many of them haven’t been,” Kafka said.
“I think what I’ve learned is how can we continue to put this team in the best position to win games. And that’s what I’m evaluating.”
He emphasized the importance of having a clear message and a strong pulse on what the team needs, suggesting the decision was made with the long-term vision in mind.
“That’s what we thought was best for the team. That’s what I thought was best for the team. So, we went with it.”
Looking Ahead: A Test of Resolve
This weekend’s game against Washington isn’t going to change the Giants’ record in a way that matters for playoff implications. But it can reveal something about the team’s identity - and about Kafka’s ability to lead through adversity.
In a season that’s been defined by injuries, underperformance, and instability, the Giants are trying to find something to build on. Kafka’s approach - measured, focused, and rooted in development - might not show up in the win column right away. But it’s the kind of mindset that can help a team turn a page.
The Giants aren’t playing for the postseason anymore. They’re playing for pride, for progress, and for the possibility of something better down the road. And that starts with showing up this week, ready to compete - regardless of the record.