Unless Mike Kafka pulls off the most impressive four-game stretch in New York Giants history, Big Blue will likely be looking for their fifth head coach in 0 years come 2026.
The job is expected to have plenty of suitors, thanks to the foundational pieces that are already in place.
Jaxson Dart looks like he has the chops to be a franchise quarterback, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo are high-upside playmakers, and that defensive front is as fierce as it gets, featuring Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence.
While there will be plenty of candidates vying for the Giants‘ job, Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr believes one defensive coordinator is already the heavy favorite to land it.
Connor Orr Tabs Packers DC Jeff Hafley as ‘Heavy Favorite’
Orr named Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as the odds-on favorite to be the head coach of the New York Giants in 2026.
“Hafley rides into this season as arguably one of the five top candidates and a heavy favorite for the Giantsâ job. He interviewed for the Jetsâ head coaching job in 2024,” Orr wrote.
After a four-year stint as Boston College’s head coach, Hafley joined the Packers in 2024 and has done a fantastic job coordinating the defense.
Blake James, the Athletic Director at BC, told Orr just how great a candidate his former head coach is.
“Heâs such a genuine person and a good guy. His defensive mind is great, but at the end of the day, people want to work for him because of his approach.”
“At Boston College, obviously, we get some super elite talent, but in a lot of cases itâs about finding that diamond in the rough and developing them into the next Luke Kuechly. I only worked with Jeff for two seasons, but look at guys like Zay Flowers. He was really coached up at BC.”
His Boston College ties will certainly help with his Giants candidacy.
The Mara family has long-standing ties to BC, with team founder Tim, long-time steward Wellington, and current CEO John all attending and graduating from the university.
Being a Montvale, New Jersey, native, Hafley also has family in and around the East Rutherford area, where the Giants’ practice facility and stadium are located.
Should the Giants Want a Defensive-Minded HC?
After taking a swing at an offensive guru in Brian Daboll, the New York Giants may want to try something different.
Hafley, a defensive specialist, has led the Green Bay Packers to a top-six defense in both 2024 and 2025, something the Giants could desperately benefit from.
New York currently has the 31st-ranked defense in terms of yards given up per game, just one spot in front of the Cincinnati Bengals.
They give up 385.8 yards per game, and a whopping 154.2 rushing yards per game.
The Giants have defensive talent in place, but it just seems that they need some better coaching in order to bring out the best in their personnel.
Given all of Hafley’s ties to New York, the Mara family, and his defensive acumen, it makes sense that he’s considered such a heavy favorite to land the job.
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