Mike Kafka probably didn’t have hitting back at criticism from his star player and the U.S. President on his bingo card for his first few weeks as head coach of the New York Giants, but the interim boss has still set the record straight about Malik Nabers and Donald Trump questioning his decision to shun a late field goal against the Detroit Lions in Week 12.
Kafka had the Giants go for it on 4th-and-goal late in the final quarter of the 34-27 defeat at Ford Field. The Giants led 27-24 with under three minutes on the clock, but rather than bank an easy three points and force the Lions to try and drive for a late touchdown, Kafka had his offense attempt to ice the game.
It was a contentious decision that drew some sharp reactions from notable sources, including Nabers in a hastily deleted social media post. The sixth pick in the 2024 NFL draft posted, “Sometimes I think they b makin us lose on purpose!” Nabers posted. “Cause it’s no way, bro you throw the ball instead of runnin it to make em burn 2 timeouts?? then you dnt kick the field goal.??? Then they have to go down and score!!! Football common sense!!!! Am I missing something?”
Trump also offered his unflattering take of Kafka’s call, posting, “Why did the New York Football Giants (NFL) not kick that Field Goal??? Who would have done such a thing? It was CRAZY! I got to watch the end of the game and thought, when they went for the touchdown instead of the 3, ‘That’s Weird!!!’”
Kafka responded in humble and philosophical terms when speaking to reporters on Wednesday, November 26.
Mike Kafka Has Dignified Response to Criticism from the President
Seeing his bold call debated by the president forced Kafka to admit, “This is one of the coolest things that, I mean just for me, being in this position, you get the opportunity to make tough calls. For me, that’s awesome. I love it. You get it down the wire, two-minute, end of game, when you got to make a tough call, that’s where, to me, I feel like that’s a huge responsibility and something I enjoy doing, I like being that point person to do that. So, everyone’s going to have an opinion. That’s okay. That’s okay. I’m going to do the best I can for myself, for the team first, to give us an opportunity to win the game. And whatever that call, whoever it was, a player, a coach, my aunt and uncle, my dad, like I heard it from everybody. And that’s okay. They can have their opinions, and I respect that. But I’m going to do what’s best for the team, try to do what’s best for the team,” per Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
This was a measured response from somebody who is essentially coaching for his next job. Kafka knows he’s auditioning not only for the Giants, but any other NFL team likely to need a new head coach this offseason, and some will be impressed by the 38-year-old’s willingness to stand by his controversial call.
It shows Kafka isn’t afraid to make a decision and is decisive enough to own the outcome. Those are good qualities for any coach to have, but not everybody applauded Kafka’s bravado.
Among the main critics, author Gary Myers believes “Kafka eliminated himself from contention to be Giants coach next year when he decided to go for it on fourth and goal from Lions 6 up 27-24 with about 3 minutes left. Winston threw incomplete, Lions tied it on 59 FG and won in OT. How can you not kick FG to go up 6 and force Lions to get TD? Game management is top priority and despite Kafka’s creative play calling today, he made an indefensible decision that could have cost the game.”
That’s a strong critique of Kafka playing for the win during a losing season, but there are other reasons to support going for it on fourth down. Reasons like the Giants fielding a suspect defense so fragile Kafka ditched Shane Bown as defensive coordinator after the game.
Kafka could hardly trust a failing unit to prevent the Lions from scoring a touchdown and winning the game in regulation. Particularly when key personnel couldn’t even get onto the field in clutch moments.
Quickly making necessary changes to fix the defense also commends Kafka’s job performance so far, but how he handles another outburst from Nabers could be more significant.
Giants Happy to Deflect Malik Nabers Criticism
This isn’t the first time Nabers has taken his frustrations about play-calling public, but Kafka was happy to deflect the wideout’s latest comments. He told the press, “I actually didn’t even see it. I didn’t even see it. So, all I know is that I really like the call. I stand by it. I don’t have any regrets about it. I thought we were aggressive to try to go win the game,” per Duggan.
Once again, Kafka refused to be shaken from his initial judgement. Even by negative words from the premier playmaker on the Giants’ offense.
Nabers has that status all to himself, but suffering a torn ACL earlier this season curtailed his progress. Ironically, although he didn’t like Kafka’s call in Detroit, Nabers would surely warm to playing in an offense that enabled his fellow receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to top 100 yards in the first quarter against the Lions.
Kafka is calling a more expansive offense. His greater willingness to attack coverage vertically is transforming what had been a pedestrian pass attack.
It’s just what Nabers needs to take his game up a level in 2026, but Kafka remains a long shot to still have the headset for the Giants next season. If he doesn’t, it won’t be because he shied away from staying aggressive.
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