Mike Kafka has extra responsibilities as interim head coach of the New York Giants, so he’s passed off his duties as offensive coordinator to an experienced play-caller who once helped Deshaun Watson lead the NFL in passing yards, and must now help Big Blue’s officially confirmed new starting quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Speaking to reporters, including ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, on Wednesday, November 12, Kafka revealed tight ends coach Tim Kelly will assume the role of offensive coordinator for Week 11’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
Kafka “will still call plays,” but he also said, “first and foremost, I want to make Tim Kelly our offensive coordinator. Really smart coach, can help us tie in the run game, the pass game. Does a great job with a lot of good experiences to bank on.”
The promotion was revealed alongside Kafka confirming veteran signal-caller Winston will start this week. Winston, who is taking the controls from Jaxson Dart while the rookie deals with a concussion, will benefit from Kelly’s experience as a coordinator.
Kelly’s expertise includes helping Watson lead “the league with a franchise-season record 4,823 passing yards” for the Houston Texans in 2020, per Giants.com. Watson was also a Pro Bowler in 2019 when Kelly had the headset and call sheet.
Although he doesn’t have the same level of talent to work with for the Giants, Kelly is a respected voice boasting a proven track record. He’ll provide vital support to Kafka, as well as an important tutor for Dart, once the 25th pick in this year’s draft is fully healthy.
Tim Kelly Promotion a Smart First Move by Mike Kafka
Kelly’s history extends beyond overseeing the best seasons of three-time Pro Bowler Watson’s career. The 39-year-old was also offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2023, when as Giants.com detailed, “rookie QB Will Levis threw four touchdown passes in a victory against Atlanta. Derrick Henry ran for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns, and DeAndre Hopkins caught a team-high 75 passes and accounted for seven scores.”
Hopkins and Henry were already bluechip playmakers who would thrive in any system and for any play-caller, but Levis’ fast start to life in the pros is encouraging for the Giants. It shows Kelly has a knack for coaxing special performances from football’s most important position.
Levis never replicated his eye-opening early displays, while Watson hasn’t gotten near 4,000 passing yards without Kelly. The latter can play a vital role in helping shape Dart, a process one Giants insider believes will still involve Kafka after this season.
Developing Dart the right way is the priority for the Giants moving forward, but the immediate focus will be on getting Winston up to speed.
Jameis Winston Faces Tough First Start
Turning to Winston solved Kafka’s first big problem since being named interim boss after the Giants jettisoned Brian Daboll. Winston and fellow 30-something QB Russell Wilson were the candidates to step in for Dart, but as Raanan pointed out, “The reaction to Russell Wilson on Sunday at MetLife Stadium would not have been good.”
Wilson lost the starting job after toiling through three erratic performances to start the season. Fans weren’t shy about voicing their unhappiness with how the 10-time Pro Bowler was performing, and the Giants need some goodwill from the faithful after the ugly end to Daboll’s tenure.
Winston can earn some goodwill as a popular presence whose boom-or-bust style of play will at least make things interesting for an offense ravaged by injuries. Being without star wide receiver Malik Nabers and bullish rookie running back Cam Skattebo has limited the big-play potential of this unit, but Winston has the arm talent to stretch the field.
The 31-year-old is also a useful mentor to Dart, one reason the Giants plan to keep Winston beyond this season. That plan will look a lot smarter if Winston can put some wins on the board in the meantime.
It won’t be easy against a Packers defense ranked seventh in points and fifth in yards, per Pro Football Reference, but Winston’s chances of springing an upset will be boosted by Kelly’s influence.
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