Giants' Brian Daboll discusses futures of Wink Martindale, Mike Kafka

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll held an end-of-season news conference on Monday morning and indicated both defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will remain with the club through the offseason. 

"It’s my expectation that they’re gonna come back," Daboll said about Martindale and Kafka, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "I think they’re good coaches. It will be good to have some continuity and bring them back. I appreciate how hard they work and their commitment to the team. So that’s my plan."

The combination of Daboll, Martindale and Kafka guided the 2022 Giants to a postseason berth and a road playoff victory in their first season working together. However, the 2023 Giants started the campaign at 1-5, and whispers later emerged claiming Daboll's working relationships with his coordinators had deteriorated. 

Martindale spoke with reporters ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles and said he didn't "know why" he wouldn't stay on Daboll's staff through this offseason. Kafka, who emerged as an NFL and college head-coaching candidate roughly 12 months ago, ducked questions about his future last week. 

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported for a piece published this past Thursday that "there have been rumblings that Kafka could want out." Daboll neither confirmed nor denied on Monday that either of his coordinators may want fresh starts elsewhere following a disappointing season for the organization. 

"I haven’t talked to those guys yet," Daboll added during his comments. "But that’s my expectation and that’s my plan." 

According to ESPN stats, the 6-11 Giants ended the regular season ranked 27th in the NFL in total defense (361.7 yards surrendered per game) and 26th with an average of 23.9 points allowed per contest. To compare, Big Blue was 29th with an average of 280.0 offensive yards per game and 30th with an average of 15.6 points scored per matchup. 

Also on Monday, Daboll confirmed the dismissals of offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.