Giants OC Mike Kafka adjusting to diminished role amid uncertainty

For the first time since he joined the New York Giants in 2022, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is watching as head coach Brian Daboll serves as the club's full-time primary play-caller until further notice.

Kafka spoke with reporters Thursday about his diminished role ahead of what could become a regime-defining season for the organization.

"I think it’s your approach," Kafka explained, as shared by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "I’m going to take it as a learning approach, learn as much as I can from the people around me, and then contribute as best I can, whether I am calling plays or I’m not. Whatever that situation looks like. I’m going to do my best to help the team win."

Daboll's alleged "madman" demeanor on gamedays last season reportedly upset assistants such as Kafka and now-former defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale. Martindale resigned in January, but the Giants blocked the Seattle Seahawks from interviewing Kafka regarding Seattle's offensive coordinator job before New York elevated him to the position of assistant head coach.

Nevertheless, Kafka's future with the Giants is very much in question with Daboll clearly running the offense this summer.

"During the week, I’m helping [Daboll] put together the offense, talking about the scheme, talking about the players, talking about our roster and what that looks like on the offensive side of the football," Kafka added. "At the practice field, I’m helping complement the coaches and help coach and orchestrate how we’re going to operate on offense as far as practice flow, organizing drills and how we’re going to do those things."

Whispers continue to suggest that Giants co-owner John Mara could part ways with Daboll and/or with general manager Joe Schoen if the club endures a second straight losing season. Since January, Big Blue has routinely been linked with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who served as an assistant and as defensive coordinator with the Giants from 1979 through the 1990 season and who reportedly "intends to coach in 2025."

If Kafka helps quarterback Daniel Jones rescue his Giants tenure from now through Week 18, the 37-year-old could once again emerge as a head-coaching candidate and ultimately find the escape from the organization he seemingly wanted roughly seven months ago.