If Joe Schoen is still around to lead the search for the next head coach of the New York Giants, the embattled general manager faces a Jaxson Dart problem. Schoen must identify the right coaching setup to safeguard the development of the Giants‘ burgeoning star at quarterback, a structure that will hinge on interim boss and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The latter’s role in managing the crucial early stages of Dart’s career is why one Giants insider believes Kafka will stick around after this season, but not as head coach. Instead, Dan Duggan of The Athletic has predicted Kafka will be joined by a former Giants assistant well known to Schoen.
Senior writer Duggan named ex-Giants defensive backs coach and current Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as the early favorite to replace Brian Daboll. Duggan thinks the Giants’ coaching search “ends up with Anarumo and Kafka staying as OC.”
This is an idea some may deem underwhelming, especially when a Super Bowl-winning head coach has already been tabbed as a worthy option. Yet, there are good reasons why a double act of Anarumo and Kafka makes sense for Big Blue.
Mike Kafka, Lou Anarumo Plan Has Merit
Anarumo has a strong history with Schoen and the Giants, according to Duggan. He pointed out the former Cincinnati Bengals DC “Has friends in high places within the organization. Was on the radar in 2022. Has a strong connection to Schoen (Schoen hired his son as a scout). Keeping Kafka allows ownership to believe they’re not “screwing up” Dart like they did Jones.”
The connection to Schoen is good for Anarumo, since the GM has been left in place to lead the search to replace Daboll. Schoen’s status isn’t set in stone, a natural consequence of his shared responsibility for the Giants failing so often on Daboll’s watch, but for now, the Giants are trusting their incumbent team-builder to continue setting the direction.
That’s potentially good news for Anarumo, and so is his recent pedigree calling defenses. He helped the 2021 Bengals reach a Super Bowl thanks to a sophisticated mix of pressure packages and hybrid fronts, while this season’s Colts rank ninth in points allowed on Anarumo’s watch.
The Giants need more creativity on defense to take better advantage of their talent, particularly up front. Anarumo isn’t the only ex-Giants defensive assistant tipped to be in the running, but he’s a good fit to at least help fix one side of the ball and leave Kafka to take care of the other.
Mike Kafka Still Key to Giants’ Plans for Jaxson Dart
Kafka might not initially warm to the idea of staying put after a demotion. Particularly when he’s been close to landing a head-coaching gig before, but Kafka is still key to how the Giants handle Dart.
As a popular OC who many within the Giants organization wanted to see get play-calling duties back from Daboll this season, Kafka is a natural mentor for a young QB1. He once performed the same role for Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Kafka is “a much more even-keeled and consistent personality than highly charged Daboll,” per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
It’s easy to believe Kafka and Dart can build a rapport quickly, since the rookie has already simulated some of the things Mahomes does with the Chiefs. That’s a good starting point for Dart getting familiar with the Kafka playbook while the first-year passer deals with a concussion.
In the meantime, Kafka will have seven games to prove he can win with different quarterbacks. Doing so might be enough to earn him status as “the highest paid OC in the league” per Duggan, and a vital lieutenant to the next Giants head coach.
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