Giants Fire Daboll, Elevate Kafka in Leadership Shakeup

The New York Giants made a seismic in-season change Monday, firing head coach Brian Daboll after another late-game collapse and handing the interim job to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. The decision follows a 24–20 loss to the Chicago Bears—a matchup that marked New York’s fourth blown double-digit lead this season and underscored a franchise stuck in repeat cycles of frustration.

Organizational Frustration and Daboll’s Downfall

Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch cited “disappointing” results and unmet expectations as the driving forces behind the move. The Giants sit at 2–8 and own an 11–33 record since the start of 2023, despite Daboll opening his tenure with a 2022 playoff win and an NFL Coach of the Year award.

But turbulence soon overtook momentum. Daboll’s tenure grew increasingly rocky, from sideline incidents and headset monitoring to his fractured relationship with former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Even with first-round pick Jaxson Dart flashing promising upside—17 total touchdowns in seven starts—the team’s inability to maintain leads and execute late ultimately cost Daboll his job.

General manager Joe Schoen remains in place and will lead the search for the next full-time head coach.

The Rise of Mike Kafka

Kafka, 38, now steps into an eight-week audition that could reshape his career. A Chicago native and former Northwestern star, Kafka once put up one of the most surreal stat lines in Big Ten history in the 2010 Outback Bowl with 78 pass attempts and 532 yards.

After a brief NFL playing career, Kafka transitioned into coaching in 2016. His rapid ascent came in Kansas City under Andy Reid, where he served as quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator during Patrick Mahomes’ development and a Super Bowl run. That résumé quickly made Kafka a rising candidate; he has interviewed for multiple head-coaching roles, including Carolina, Seattle, Houston, Tennessee, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and Chicago.

The Giants hired Kafka in 2022 to pair with Daboll, and although the team regressed statistically since their breakout season, interest in him never dimmed. Now, with New York’s season spiraling, he steps into the lead role he’s long been preparing for.

Looking Ahead in New York

The Giants expect Schoen’s young core—headlined by Dart, several recent draft pieces, and upcoming cap flexibility—to develop under clearer direction. Whether Kafka becomes that long-term leader hinges on how he navigates these final eight games, starting Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

For now, the Giants restart the cycle familiar to their fan base: reassessing direction, recalibrating expectations, and placing the franchise’s future on trial over the next two months.

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