The Kansas City Chiefs lost former quarterback coach Mike Kafka to the New York Giants in 2022.
Kafka’s decision to join the Giants as offensive coordinator under new head coach Brian Daboll was the first significant departure from the Chiefs’ coaching staff since Matt Nagy left to join the Chicago Bears following the 2017 NFL season. It also came as a bit of a surprise as many viewed Kafka as the offensive coordinator in waiting for the day when Eric Bieniemy eventually leaves to pursue a head-coaching job.
Speaking to the New York media during Giants offseason workouts, Kafka provided some details on his exit from Kansas City. He was asked whether it was a tough decision for him to leave the Chiefs after spending the past five seasons there.
“Yes, (the Chiefs are) a great team,” Kafka said. “It was an awesome experience. But this opportunity was something that was special to me and my family. It wasn’t just something I took on a whim. I wasn’t just going to go to any team. It had to be built the right way with the people, the Mara family, (Brian Daboll), Joe (Schoen), the players that we had here. So it was all that encompassed. But of course, I have a lot of great relationships and great people in the Chiefs organization, and I respect them and have a lot of respect for the coaching staff and the guys there.”
Many speculated that the opportunity to call plays was something that intrigued Kafka about the New York job. He says it’s something he wants to do, though, doesn’t know for certain whether he or Daboll will call plays for the Giants.
“Of course,” Kafka said. “I think every offensive coordinator aspires to call plays, so yes.”
Kafka will certainly bring some of his experience from Kansas City under Andy Reid to New York, but he says the offense will be unique to the Giants. It’ll certainly draw from the Bills and the Chiefs, but it won’t be copy-paste from either team.
As reporters continued to question Kafka about Reid’s influence, he was eager to talk about what was going on this instant in New York.
“I think everyone has to have their own personality to it,” Kafka explained. “Again, those were great learning experiences that I had there, but that’s in the past. Right now is today in Phase 3. We have our installs. We have all our installs scripted for the remainder of the camp. We’re working within the daily installs, working out the details, making sure we continue to fine-tune those things in our offense.”
