When Mike Kafka, the Giants’ offensive coordinator, took over as interim head coach following Brian Daboll’s firing on November 10, 2025, he wasted no time implementing changes in the daily meeting schedule. Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton has now revealed the key changes after speaking with multiple players in the days following Kafka’s promotion.

“Had several Giants players tell me the last few days that the biggest change implemented by Mike Kafka was moving the special teams meeting to early morning,” Stapleton reported. “That sets up more offense/defensive meetings, more details covered before practice.”​

The previous structure under Daboll had created what players described as a disjointed flow to their preparation. “At times, players said it felt like a scramble from walkthrough to special teams to practice previously,” according to Stapleton’s reporting.​

While the change addressed a legitimate concern, not every player viewed it as an unqualified improvement. “One player told me more meetings doesn’t work for everyone; but those I talked to welcomed that change,” Stapleton noted.​

By moving special teams to early morning, position groups now have expanded windows to review game plans, make adjustments, and ensure everyone understands their assignments before taking the practice field.

The change in meeting structure aligns with the 38-year-old’s overall leadership style. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan characterized Mike Kafka as “a much more even-keeled and consistent personality than highly charged Daboll.”

Veteran receiver Darius Slayton, who has worked closely with Kafka since the coach arrived in New York, expressed confidence in the transition. “I feel like he was energized today. He came in, you could tell he had a positive mindset, an opportunistic mindset,” Slayton said after Kafka’s first day as interim head coach.

 Kafka had a six-year NFL playing career as a backup quarterback with seven different franchises. The Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals, before transitioning to coaching in 2016.​

What sets Kafka apart, however, is his direct apprenticeship under legendary head coach Andy Reid.

Can the Giants end their losing streak under Mike Kafka?

After one season as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2016, Kafka rejoined Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 as an offensive quality control coach. He progressed through the ranks, eventually serving as the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2018 to 2021.​

During his five years in Kansas City, Mike Kafka played a pivotal role in the development of QB Patrick Mahomes, who is now a 3× Super Bowl champion.

When Kafka spoke to the media following his promotion, he boldly declared, “I think one of the most important things I stressed to the players was, we’re not just going to change stuff to change it for no reason,” Kafka explained. “We’re going to have a plan and have an intent on what we want to emphasize that day.”

With only seven games remaining in the 2025 season, Kafka’s window to prove himself as a potential permanent head coach is narrow. The Giants are at a 2-8 record and have surrendered fourth-quarter leads in crushing fashion against New Orleans, Denver, and Chicago. A pattern of failure that underscored poor communication, weak accountability, and inconsistent leadership.

Now, with the week 11 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, can the Giants finally secure a win after four consecutive losses?