Mike Kafka
Michael John Kafka (born July 25, 1987) is an American football coach and former player who serves as the interim head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] A native of Chicago, Illinois, Kafka played college football as a quarterback at Northwestern University, where he appeared in 30 games, completing 64.1% of his passes for 4,265 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 11 rushing scores, setting school records for single-game passing yards (532 against Auburn in 2010) and quarterback rushing yards (217 against Minnesota in 2008).[3][4] Selected in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Kafka spent six seasons (2010–2015) as a backup quarterback and practice squad member across seven teams, including the Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals.[4][1] He appeared in four games for the Eagles in 2011, completing 11 of 16 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.[1] Transitioning to coaching, Kafka began his career as an offensive graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2016, contributing to a team that averaged 398.2 yards and 26.0 points per game en route to a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.[4][5] In 2017, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach under head coach Andy Reid, a team for which he had previously played.[4] He was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2018, guiding Patrick Mahomes to NFL MVP honors that year, and added the passing game coordinator title in 2020.[4][6] During his five seasons with the Chiefs (2017–2021), Kafka helped develop one of the league's most prolific passing attacks, including a league-leading 303.4 yards per game in 2020, while contributing to a Super Bowl championship in 2019 and two consecutive AFC titles (2019–2020).[4][7] Hired by the Giants in February 2022 as offensive coordinator under then-head coach Brian Daboll, Kafka immediately took over play-calling duties, leading New York to a 9–7–1 record and an NFC East title in his debut season, along with a playoff appearance.[6][8] He earned the additional title of assistant head coach ahead of the 2024 season. On November 10, 2025, following the dismissal of Daboll, Kafka was named interim head coach, entering his ninth overall season in the NFL in 2025.[2][9] Kafka has interviewed for multiple head coaching positions since 2020, including with the Indianapolis Colts (2023), New York Jets (2024), and Chicago Bears (2025), reflecting his rising profile in the league.[10][11]Early years
Early life
Michael John Kafka was born on July 25, 1987, in Chicago, Illinois.[12] He is the son of Michael and Sandra Kafka, with his mother having grown up in a family that immigrated from Puerto Rico to New York before settling in the Chicago area, instilling values of hard work and perseverance from an early age.[12][13][14] Kafka has a younger brother, Jason, and the siblings shared a close bond that influenced their mutual interest in sports during childhood.[15][14] Raised on Chicago's Southwest Side in a neighborhood steeped in the city's vibrant sports culture, Kafka was exposed to football from a young age as a Chicago Bears fan.[13] Beyond football, Kafka's initial athletic pursuits centered on baseball, a passion sparked by playing catch with his brother and local games, which honed his competitive drive, arm strength, and teamwork skills in the years before organized sports.[15]High school career
Mike Kafka attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, Illinois, where he emerged as a standout athlete in both football and baseball. As the quarterback for the St. Rita Mustangs football team, he served as team captain and demonstrated strong leadership on the field. Over his high school career, Kafka led the team to three conference championships and compiled an impressive 35-8 record as a starter.[16] In his senior year of 2004, Kafka showcased his dual-threat abilities by accumulating 1,816 total yards and 16 touchdowns, contributing significantly to the team's success. His performance highlighted his arm strength and mobility, making him a pivotal player in St. Rita's offensive scheme. These achievements underscored his development as a promising quarterback prospect.[16] Kafka also excelled in baseball as an outfielder and team captain for the St. Rita squad, where his athleticism drew attention from college recruiters. Notably, during his junior year, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald attended a baseball game and was impressed by Kafka's skills, particularly after witnessing a great throw from right field, which sparked interest in him as a football recruit. This crossover appeal from baseball helped generate recruiting buzz, ultimately leading Kafka to focus on football and commit to Northwestern University, where he received a scholarship.[15][12]College career
Early seasons (2005–2007)
Mike Kafka enrolled at Northwestern University in 2005 after a standout high school career at St. Rita High School in Chicago, where he was recognized as a top dual-threat quarterback.[12] As a true freshman that year, he redshirted to focus on learning the Wildcats' offensive system and adjusting to the physical and mental demands of Big Ten football.[12] This period allowed him to build foundational knowledge without the immediate pressure of game action, marking the beginning of his development within a program known for its academic rigor alongside athletic competition. In 2006, Kafka transitioned to the active roster as a redshirt freshman and initially earned the starting quarterback role for the first four games, showcasing his potential before a hamstring injury sidelined him during the contest against Nevada.[12] He appeared in five games overall that season, including brief relief stints in the final two regular-season matchups against Ohio State and Illinois, which contributed to his personal growth in understanding game management and team dynamics under head coach Pat Fitzgerald.[12] The injury and subsequent recovery highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistency at the college level, fostering resilience as he supported the offense from a rotational capacity. Kafka's 2007 sophomore season saw him primarily in a backup role to starter C.J. Bacher, with increased but still limited opportunities in four games.[12] Key moments included playing most of the fourth quarter against Northeastern in relief and brief appearances against Michigan State, where he gained valuable reps in high-pressure situations.[12] These experiences refined his preparation and decision-making skills while he continued to adapt to the intensity of Northwestern's practices and film study.[17] Throughout these early seasons, Kafka made steady academic progress toward his degree in communication studies, balancing coursework with football commitments in a demanding university environment.[5] His time as a developing reserve quarterback emphasized patience and system mastery, laying the groundwork for future contributions to the Wildcats' program.[12]2008 season
In 2008, Mike Kafka transitioned from backup to starter at quarterback for Northwestern after C.J. Bacher suffered a hamstring injury during the October 25 loss to Indiana.[18] This shift occurred after Kafka had seen limited action in prior games, primarily as a backup during his earlier college seasons.[12] Kafka's starts helped propel Northwestern to a 9–4 overall record and 5–3 mark in Big Ten play, securing the program's first bowl appearance since 2005 in the Alamo Bowl.[19] In his debut start on November 1 against Minnesota, he set a Big Ten single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 217 yards on 27 carries (8.0 average), adding 12 completions on 16 attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–17 road victory.[20] For that performance, Kafka earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors alongside teammate Brendan Smith.[21] The next week against No. 11 Ohio State on November 8, Kafka rushed 29 times for 83 yards—including a 1-yard touchdown—and went 18-of-27 passing for 177 yards, accounting for 260 total yards of offense despite a 45–10 defeat.[22] He sustained a concussion early in the November 15 game at Michigan, limiting him to three rushes for 20 yards before Bacher returned to start the final regular-season contest against Illinois and the Alamo Bowl.[23] In the December 29 Alamo Bowl, Northwestern rallied from a 17-point deficit but fell 30–23 in overtime to Missouri after Bacher threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns.[24] Over eight games, Kafka completed 32 of 46 passes (69.6 percent) for 330 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions, while rushing 68 times for 321 yards (4.7 average) and one touchdown—ranking second on the team in rushing behind running back Tyrell Sutton's 890 yards.[17]2009 season
In his senior season, Mike Kafka started all 13 games for Northwestern, leading the Wildcats to an 8–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Big Ten play, capped by an appearance in the Outback Bowl. Kafka threw for 3,430 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding mobility to the offense with 295 rushing yards and 8 rushing scores, though he faced increased pressure resulting in 12 interceptions. The Wildcats showed competitiveness, including an upset win over a ranked opponent, but struggled in some conference matchups. Kafka delivered several standout performances amid the challenges. Early in the season, he set a school record with 16 consecutive completions and earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors after going 35-of-42 for 390 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 37–34 loss to Syracuse on September 19. Later, despite a hamstring injury limiting his mobility, he contributed to a gritty 17–10 upset victory over No. 7 Iowa on November 7, completing 10-of-18 passes for 72 yards while splitting time with backup Dan Persa; the win snapped a skid and highlighted the team's resilience under his guidance. The season presented significant hurdles, including Kafka's hamstring injury sustained midway through the October 31 game against Penn State, which hampered his effectiveness in subsequent outings and forced adjustments to the offensive scheme. Additionally, the offensive line struggled with protection, as Kafka was sacked 38 times, contributing to turnovers and stalled drives in losses to conference foes. In the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2010, against Auburn, Kafka set a school single-game record with 532 passing yards and 3 touchdowns on 47-of-78 attempts, adding 5 rushes for 10 yards, but Northwestern fell 38–35 in overtime after a late fake field goal attempt failed. As a senior leader, Kafka embraced a vocal role in the huddle, mentoring younger players and emphasizing preparation during a season marked by injuries across the roster. His experience helped stabilize the quarterback position and foster team unity, positioning him as a key figure in Northwestern's efforts to rebuild for the future. At season's end, Kafka's perseverance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media, recognizing his dual-threat capabilities and record-setting efficiency in a demanding campaign.College statistics
Mike Kafka appeared in limited action during his first two seasons at Northwestern before becoming the full-time starter in 2008, with his statistical output reflecting a progression in both passing and rushing roles.[17]Passing Statistics
| Year | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 55 | 96 | 57.3 | 494 | 1 | 5 | 93.5 |
| 2007 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 97.5 |
| 2008 | 32 | 46 | 69.6 | 330 | 2 | 3 | 131.1 |
| 2009 | 319 | 492 | 64.8 | 3,430 | 16 | 12 | 129.3 |
| Career | 408 | 637 | 64.1 | 4,265 | 19 | 20 | 122.5 |
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Carries | Yards | Yards per Carry | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 48 | 263 | 5.5 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 68 | 321 | 4.7 | 1 |
| 2009 | 150 | 295 | 2.0 | 8 |
| Career | 268 | 887 | 3.3 | 11 |