Credit: New York Giants
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reportedly took play-calling duties away from his offensive coordinator more than once this past season, yet the organization blocked him from taking the same job with other teams.
Earlier this month the Giants organization decided to make a surprising decision. The Seattle Seahawks were interested in talking to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka about taking on the same role under new head coach Mike Macdonald. However, the Giants decided to block an interview despite various reports that Daboll was unhappy with his work in 2023.
The offense took notable steps back this past season, and rumors late last year claimed Kafka had lost some of his duties due to the unit’s poor performance. However, the coordinator denied the reports during the season. Well, a new story from SNY New York Giants insider Connor Hughes paints a very different narrative.
In a mailbag column on Friday, Hughes added more to the developing story of drama between Daboll and his staff when he claimed there “was absolutely tension” during the season between the Giants’ head coach and his OC. As well as the fact that “Kafka had his playcalling revoked at points last season [with Daboll] scapegoating him for the unit’s problems.”
Yet the head coach and organization did not allow him to seek similar employment elsewhere despite an obvious dissatisfaction with his work. In his report, Hughes explained why the staff losing defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale had a huge effect on not cutting ties with Kafka this year.
“Replacing all three coordinators in one offseason is a major undertaking when the preference is to not have Daboll call the plays,” he wrote. “Remember, too: There could be changes if things go poorly again this year. The Giants need as much continuity as they can to try to return to their 2022 play.”