Giants Drop Seventh Straight, Kafka’s Audition Continues, and the Dart Dilemma Looms Large
The New York Giants' 2025 season continues to spiral, with Sunday’s 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots marking their seventh straight defeat. For a franchise steeped in tradition and pride, this stretch has been tough to stomach - and there’s no sugarcoating it: the Giants are 2-10 and searching for answers on multiple fronts.
But even in a season like this, there are storylines worth tracking, and none are more intriguing right now than the team’s ongoing head coaching search, the development of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the looming decisions that will shape the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kafka’s Audition: A Real Shot or Just a Placeholder?
Interim head coach Mike Kafka is getting a real look from the front office - and not just in name only. While the Giants are doing their due diligence and building out a list of candidates for the full-time job, Kafka’s performance through two games has turned some heads.
Before the loss in Foxborough, Kafka’s offense had put up 517 yards and 27 points against Detroit, and the week before that, 336 yards and 20 points against a stout Green Bay defense - all without Jaxson Dart under center. That’s not nothing.
Kafka is reportedly on a short list of about 10 candidates that GM Joe Schoen has been compiling over the years - a list shaped by advice from mentors who believe every good GM should always have one ready. That doesn’t mean the Giants are locked in on Kafka, but it does mean he’s being taken seriously. He’s shown he can handle play-calling and head coaching duties simultaneously, and in a league where offensive minds are in high demand, that’s a valuable trait.
Jaxson Dart: A Talented Risk the Giants Must Learn to Manage
When Dart plays, he plays with fire - and sometimes, he gets burned. That aggressive, competitive edge is part of what made him a first-round pick.
But it’s also what sidelined him with a concussion that kept him out of two games. The Giants are now facing the classic quarterback conundrum: how do you let a young QB be himself while protecting him from himself?
Backup Jameis Winston, who filled in during Dart’s absence, admitted he only passed along the coaching staff’s cautionary messages when they were explicitly given to him. That speaks to a broader issue - a lack of clear messaging from the top down about Dart’s playing style and the risks that come with it.
The reality is, those extra few yards Dart fights for - especially near midfield or after already securing a first down - just aren’t worth the long-term cost. His teammates know it.
The coaching staff knows it. Now, it’s about getting Dart to know it too, and adjust accordingly without losing the edge that got him here in the first place.
What’s Next at Head Coach? Tomlin, Vrabel, and the Big Picture
As the Giants continue their coaching search, names like Mike Tomlin and Mike Vrabel are being tossed around in league circles. Vrabel’s recent success has made him a hot commodity, and Tomlin’s long-standing reputation speaks for itself.
But the Giants aren’t rushing. They’re watching tape, doing background checks, and preparing for January, when the real decisions will be made.
Kafka’s still in the mix, but this is a job that will draw interest across the league. It’s the New York Giants - the brand still carries weight.
Draft Strategy: Help Dart or Protect Him?
With a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft all but guaranteed, the Giants have to decide how best to support their young quarterback. Is it time to go all-in on a dynamic wide receiver? Or is the smarter move to continue building the offensive line?
Malik Nabers has shown flashes, but the Giants still lack a true game-breaking threat at receiver. Wan’Dale Robinson is set to hit free agency, and while he's been a solid contributor, the offense needs more juice - someone who keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
On the other hand, the offensive line is holding up well this season. In fact, it ranks in the top half of the league in pass block win rate - a big step forward from years past.
But there are looming questions. Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is playing his way into a payday as a free agent, and left guard Greg Van Roten, now 35, is also set to hit the market.
Investing in a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman early in the draft wouldn’t be flashy, but it might be the smartest way to protect Dart and set the tone for the offense long-term.
Quick Hits from Around the League
- Brian Burns is leading Pro Bowl voting among outside linebackers - one of the few bright spots for the Giants this season.
- Paulson Adebo and Deonte Banks returned to action against the Patriots, a welcome sight for a defense that’s been stretched thin.
- The Giants made another roster move, signing an edge defender to the 53-man roster for the fourth time this season - a reminder of how much churn there’s been in the front seven.
- Around the league, big moves and injuries are shaking things up: Justin Herbert had surgery on a broken bone in his hand, and the Vikings waived Adam Thielen to give him a shot at more playing time elsewhere.
Final Word
The Giants are in the middle of a tough season, but there’s no shortage of intrigue. From Kafka’s coaching audition to the team’s plan for Dart and the upcoming draft, this is a franchise at a crossroads. The decisions made over the next few months - on the sideline, under center, and in the war room - will shape the next era of Giants football.
And for a team that’s been searching for stability, that era can’t come soon enough.