Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes campaigns for Cardinals to hire Giants' Mike Kafka

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes believes the Arizona Cardinals would be smart to hire New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka as their new head coach. 

As shared by Jake Anderson of Arizona Sports, Mahomes explained on Monday that Kafka helped him learn the playbook as a rookie when Kafka was serving as Kansas City's offensive quality control coach in 2017. Kafka ultimately became the Chiefs' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, while Mahomes evolved into a regular season and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. 

"...when he left, I knew he was going to be a head coach soon," Mahomes added about Kafka. "I know he’s down (here) in Arizona, so if he gets hired there he’ll get that place turned around. He’s a great coach and a great person as well, so I’m excited for him." 

First-year Giants head coach Brian Daboll chose Kafka as his OC last February and later handed Kafka offensive play-calling duties. Under Kafka, New York quarterback Daniel Jones enjoyed a career season that could earn him roughly $35 million per year via a second pro contract. Just last week, Giants legend and New York sports radio host Tiki Barber credited Kafka with helping Jones develop into somebody capable of becoming the NFC East's best overall quarterback. 

As Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports pointed out, Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo are considered the finalists to win the Arizona job. Like Mahomes, Chiefs backup quarterback Chad Henne went to bat for his former coach. 

"He’s a bright young coach who understands what a quarterback goes through daily and I think he’d be a hell of a head coach," Henne said of Kafka. "I think it’d be awesome (if he became a head coach). He can relate to players, he’s obviously been in those situations before. I can’t say enough about him. I love my time with him. I still talk to him every now and then. It’s a great relationship."

Per Ed Valentine of Big Blue View, Daboll could promote current Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney if the Cardinals hire Kafka this winter.