The New York Giants have officially parted ways with head coach Brian Daboll, the team announced on Monday morning — marking a stunning fall from grace for a coach who just two years ago was hailed as one of the NFL’s brightest minds.

The move comes less than 24 hours after the Giants’ 24–20 collapse against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, their 11th straight road loss, which set a new all-time franchise record. It was a game that encapsulated the Giants’ struggles under Daboll: flashes of promise undone by poor execution, costly turnovers, and an inability to close out winnable contests.

Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been named interim head coach, the organization confirmed.

From Coach of the Year to the Unemployment Line

When Brian Daboll arrived in New York in 2022, he was heralded as the savior who could finally stabilize a franchise in turmoil. In his first season, he delivered immediate results — leading the Giants to a 9–7–1 record, a playoff berth, and an NFC Divisional Round appearance. His innovative offensive schemes revitalized quarterback Daniel Jones, and his fiery sideline demeanor endeared him to fans and players alike.

That debut campaign earned Daboll the 2022 AP Coach of the Year award, making him the first Giants coach to win the honor since Jim Fassel in 1997. But the optimism that once surrounded him has since evaporated.

Over the past two seasons, the Giants have endured a dramatic decline — going 11–33 since that playoff run and becoming one of the least consistent teams in the league. Daboll exits New York with a 20–40–1 overall record, a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak, and an offense that ranks near the bottom of the NFL in virtually every major category.

A Frustrating End to the Daboll Era

Sunday’s defeat to Chicago felt like the breaking point. The Giants led 20–10 late in the third quarter before surrendering 14 unanswered points to a struggling Bears team led by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.

The postgame press conference offered no comfort. Daboll appeared visibly dejected, admitting that “the execution just hasn’t been good enough” and that “everyone in this building, including me, has to be better.”

But behind the scenes, frustration had reportedly been mounting for weeks. According to multiple league insiders, tensions between Daboll and members of the Giants front office — particularly over quarterback development and player discipline — had reached a boiling point.

“Brian is a brilliant offensive mind,” one NFC executive told NFL Network, “but this is a results business. The team looked lifeless. Ownership had to do something.”

Mike Kafka Steps In

In the interim, Mike Kafka, 37, will step into the head coaching role for the remainder of the season. Kafka, a former NFL quarterback and Andy Reid disciple, has been with the Giants since Daboll’s arrival in 2022 and is considered one of the more promising young coaches in the league.

Under Kafka’s watch, the Giants’ offense showed moments of creativity last season, particularly in the run game with Saquon Barkley and designed quarterback runs for Jones. However, injuries, protection issues, and erratic quarterback play have derailed the unit in 2025.

Kafka will now be tasked with steadying a team sitting at 2–8, desperately searching for direction in a season that has quickly spiraled out of control.

The Road Ahead for Big Blue

For the Giants, this marks the fifth head coaching change since 2015, continuing a decade-long cycle of instability. The front office, led by general manager Joe Schoen, will now begin the search for the franchise’s next leader — someone capable of restoring credibility and competitiveness to one of the NFL’s proudest organizations.

Potential candidates are expected to include several high-profile coordinators and college head coaches, but Schoen’s immediate focus will be on evaluating Kafka’s performance through the end of the season.

As for Daboll, despite his abrupt firing, he’s unlikely to remain out of work for long. His offensive pedigree, championship résumé from Buffalo, and reputation as a player’s coach will make him a top candidate for coordinator roles — and perhaps another head coaching job — in 2026.

For now, though, Big Blue hits reset once again. A promising era that began with hope and playoff dreams has ended in frustration and failure.

In New York, patience has finally run out.