Mike Kafka’s Interim Run with Giants Hits 0-4, But He’s Staying Focused on the Now
Mike Kafka’s stint as interim head coach of the New York Giants hasn’t exactly been a dream audition. Four games, four losses - and with each one, the odds of him becoming the team’s full-time head coach next season continue to shrink. But while the Giants’ struggles may have dimmed that particular spotlight, it’s worth asking: does this stretch hurt Kafka’s chances of leading a team elsewhere, whether in the NFL or at the college level?
Kafka’s name has been a regular fixture in head coaching searches since he took over as the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2022. He’s interviewed with a wide swath of NFL teams - including the Panthers, Titans, Seahawks, Texans, Colts, Saints, and Bears - each time drawing interest for his offensive mind and leadership potential.
But now, with the Giants spiraling and Kafka at the helm of a team that looks lost, the question is whether those opportunities will keep coming.
Kafka, for his part, isn’t entertaining that conversation - at least not publicly.
“I’m not really concerned about any of that stuff,” he said Monday. “That would be super-selfish of me to think about that and where we’re at in this season. My only focus is on the players and the coaches and getting our guys ready to roll.”
With three games left on the schedule, Kafka is keeping his attention locked on the short term - starting with a Week 16 matchup against Minnesota. “Nothing’s more important than this game right now,” he added.
“That’s really where our mind’s at. That’s where my mind’s at.”
Kafka took over after the Giants started 2-8 under Brian Daboll. He didn’t get an offseason to install his vision, reset the culture, or put his stamp on the roster. Still, he’s not using that as a crutch.
“This is the situation that I’m in and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” Kafka said. “Any opportunity I have to help this team, put my fingerprint on the team, I will.”
He acknowledged that having a full offseason would allow him to shape things more deliberately, but he made it clear he’s proud of the group he’s working with. “We have a great team here, we have a great staff here, and I look forward to coming to work every single day. I love working with these guys.”
Jaxson Dart and the Concussion Checks
One of the more talked-about moments from Sunday’s loss to Washington was rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart being sent for his fifth concussion check of the season. While he’s only officially entered the NFL’s concussion protocol once, the frequency of these evaluations has raised some eyebrows - including Dart’s. After the game, he suggested the league might be getting a bit too “sensitive” when it comes to how he’s being monitored.
Kafka, though, backed the league’s approach.
“I think the intent really behind [the checks], whether it’s the referees, whether it’s the medical people up top, it’s all in the intent to help player safety and make sure these guys are healthy,” Kafka said. “It’s one thing that the league has really made a big emphasis of.”
He pointed out that Dart’s situation - being a quarterback, being young, and having a history of at least one concussion - likely triggers a heightened response from medical officials.
“They’re hypersensitive to just quarterbacks in general,” Kafka noted. “Especially if you have been a repeat guy and have had another previous concussion, they’re going to be sensitive to it. It’s kind of out of my hands … but it’s all with the right intentions in terms of player safety.”
Dart Starting to Protect Himself More
Dart’s playing style has drawn criticism this season, particularly for his willingness to take hits rather than slide or get out of bounds. But on Sunday, there were signs of growth. Kafka noticed Dart making more conscious decisions to protect himself - sliding, picking angles, and avoiding direct contact.
“He slid a few times,” Kafka said. “He’s not taking guys head-on anymore. He’s picking an edge - at least picking a soft edge - and trying to get himself down and protect the ball, which is most important, and protect himself as well.”
It’s a subtle but important step for a young quarterback learning how to survive in the league. Kafka called it a “nice job” and a positive sign of Dart’s development.
Abdul Carter’s Bounce-Back Game
Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick, turned in one of his best performances of the season against Washington - a strong response after being benched twice in the past three weeks for missing practices or meetings. His talent has never been in question, but consistency and accountability have been the sticking points.
Veteran defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence reportedly delivered a clear message to Carter after the game: one good performance isn’t enough. Kafka echoed that sentiment on Monday.
“He put together a good week of practice. It showed up in the game,” Kafka said.
“The challenge, just like it is for everybody, is can you do that again? You have a good game - can you stack another day?
Can you stack another week? Can you stack another game?”
It’s the kind of message that resonates across a locker room - especially one trying to build something in the middle of a tough season. For Carter, the next few weeks are about proving that Sunday wasn’t a one-off, but the beginning of a new standard.
Bottom Line: The Giants’ season may be all but lost in the standings, but inside the building, there’s still purpose. Kafka’s head coaching future - whether in New York or elsewhere - may be uncertain, but he’s not mailing it in. He’s trying to lay bricks, not just for his own resume, but for a roster full of young players like Dart and Carter who are learning what it takes to survive - and eventually thrive - in the NFL.