STWF Sports|Nov. 16, 2025 – Mike Kafka hasn’t coached a single snap as the New York Giants’ interim head coach, but he’s already delivered the unmistakable message that he plans to do things his way.
Just hours after replacing Brian Daboll—fired on Monday following a disastrous 2–8 start to the 2025 NFL season—the 38-year-old coordinator-turned-interim leader made a bold announcement: Jameis Winston, the team’s third-string quarterback, will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
The decision benches veteran backup Russell Wilson, a Super Bowl champion with more than a decade of NFL experience, and comes after rookie starter Jaxson Dart was officially ruled out with a concussion suffered in last week’s loss to Chicago.
For a first-time head coach stepping into the job midseason, it was a high-profile personnel call—one that immediately set a new tone inside the Giants’ building.
Kafka Focused on Stabilizing a Wounded Locker Room
Kafka wasted no time dismissing any narrative about nerves or pressure surrounding his sudden promotion.
“My only focus is the players,” Kafka said earlier this week.
“As a group, as a staff, we need to come together, put together a great plan, and focus on what’s most important.”
The former NFL quarterback began his coaching rise at Northwestern before joining Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City in 2017. There, Kafka earned a reputation as one of Reid’s sharpest young assistants, working closely with Patrick Mahomes, helping guide him to his first MVP award and a Super Bowl championship.
That pedigree hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup at MetLife Stadium, Kafka revealed that Reid personally reached out with encouragement.
“It was great to hear from him,” Kafka said.
“I’ll keep our conversation private, but having his support means a lot. He’s busy, so taking time out of his day was cool.”
Why Winston over Wilson? Kafka Signals a New Mindset
Winston has thrown only a handful of passes this season, serving as a scout-team quarterback behind Dart and Wilson. But Kafka sees something in the former No. 1 overall pick—perhaps the arm talent, perhaps the willingness to take downfield shots—that fits the offensive vision he’s installing on the fly.
Wilson, meanwhile, has struggled in limited action this season and has not looked like the Pro Bowl quarterback he once was.
Starting Winston signals an organizational shift: Kafka is willing to experiment, to try to unlock upside, even if it means passing over a decorated veteran.
Giants Players Respond to Kafka’s Calm Leadership
As practices have unfolded this week, Giants players have expressed support for Kafka’s demeanor and style—one that stands in stark contrast to Daboll’s fiery, often confrontational approach.
Kafka’s preference for calm communication, steady decision-making, and clear offensive structure has reportedly resonated with a locker room desperate for stability.
Players have also appreciated Kafka’s transparency, particularly regarding the quarterback change. Several veterans noted that Kafka explained the move directly, emphasizing his belief in putting the team in the best position to compete each week.
Pressure Builds as Giants Seek a Reset
At 2–8, the Giants face the reality of another lost season. But for Kafka, these next eight weeks serve as an open audition—not just for the Giants’ permanent coaching job, but for future opportunities across the league.
Sunday’s matchup against the Packers offers the first glimpse of what a Kafka-led Giants team looks like: his play-calling rhythm, his in-game adjustments, and perhaps most importantly, how players respond to his voice.
If the Giants show renewed fight, discipline, or creativity under his watch, the 38-year-old could quickly transform from interim placeholder to serious head-coaching contender.
For now, though, Kafka is keeping the focus simple.
It’s about the players.
It’s about clarity.
And as his bold Week 11 decision shows, it’s about doing whatever it takes to spark a team that desperately needs a new direction.
