(Photo courtesy of @nypost on X)
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints, the last team with a head coaching vacancy, have completed another interview as their search for a new head coach continues.
The Saints announced Saturday afternoon that they have concluded their in-person interview with New York Giants offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka. Kafka also interviewed virtually earlier in the process.
The #Saints have announced that they have concluded an in-person interview with Giants OC/AHC Mike Kafka for their open head coach position. pic.twitter.com/iSAAoypbCr
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 25, 2025
The Saints also completed an in-person interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Friday and with interim head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi last week. They are expected to visit with more candidates this week.
Kafka, who has been with the Giants coaching staff since 2022, is a former NFL quarterback and has spent a lot of time learning from Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid. Kafka and Reid first connected as a player-coach duo before Reid eventually hired Kafka as an offensive quality control coach to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.
He quickly advanced to quarterbacks coach, where he played a key role in helping quarterback Patrick Mahomes earn his first MVP award.
Kafka’s name isn’t one that blows the doors off of many fans hoping for a bigger-named hire, but he has a lot of respect from players and those around the NFL, as highlighted by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
His best season as a playcaller came in 2022—his first year with the Giants. He helped the team to a 9-7-1 record and postseason appearance with a Daniel Jones-led offense. The Giants won their wild-card playoff game that year, before falling in the divisional round to the eventual Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles.
However, a down year in 2023 for the Giants’ offense led to head coach Brian Daboll taking control of play calling duties in 2024.
Kafka is among a long list of candidates for the Saints’ head coaching position, but his strong NFL reputation could help him stand out.
New Orleans is also expected to pursue in-person interviews next week with ex-Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, and potentially Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
With Kafka’s interview complete, New Orleans is now compliant with the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires in-person interviews with at least two external minority or female candidates before making a hire. However, Kafka and Weaver—whose interview also fulfilled the requirement—are far from checks in a box. Both are under serious consideration for the Saints’ head coaching position, along with other candidates still scheduled to interview.
