Mike Kafka

Kafka has served as the offensive coordinator for the Giants for each of the previous three seasons and appears to be close to securing his first head coaching job. He previously made the final round of interviews for the Seahawks and Cardinals in 2023 before staying with the Giants. Kafka is yet another young head coaching candidate in a recent wave of youth.

This isn’t the first time Kafka has made it to the final round of team interviews. The third-year offensive coordinator was also a finalist for the Seahawks’ head coaching job last offseason and the Cardinals’ head coaching job in 2023. He’s close to securing a job, and at just 37 years old, Kafka feels like a lock to get his chance at a head coaching gig eventually. It wouldn’t be surprising if we learn his fate for the Saints job in the coming days.

This is a great opportunity for one of the NFL’s up-and-coming offensive minds. Kafka is currently a candidate for both the Bears’ and Saints’ vacant head coach roles and the Senior Bowl gig gives him an in-depth opportunity to work with myriad players from the incoming rookie class. Any insight Kafka gleans from the experience could prove to be valuable for whichever NFL team he coaches for in 2025. Browns special teams coordinator and fellow assistant head coach Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone will serve as Kafka’s Senior Bowl counterpart.

The Saints become the first team to interview Kafka during this coaching cycle. A third-year offensive coordinator for the Giants, Kafka’s underwhelming quarterback situation doesn’t appear to have cost him this coaching cycle, as the Bears also hope to speak with the former backup quarterback. Kafka met twice with the Seahawks last offseason before they decided to hire Mike Macdonald. Whether it’s with the Saints or another team, Kafka appears to be on the verge of landing a head coaching gig sooner or later.