By Ross Jackson
The effects of working with a star quarterback like Kansas City Chiefs passer Patrick Mahomes can be long-lasting. But that may not be the only reason the New Orleans Saints are showing interest in this head coaching candidate.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Saints have requested permission to interview New York Giants offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka.
While Kafka’s name still benefits from his work with Mahomes from 2018 to 2021, his reputation extends beyond that, largely due to his connections to one of the league’s most successful coaches: Andy Reid.
Before being hired as the Chiefs’ offensive quality control coach in 2017, Kafka played under Reid in 2010 during his rookie season as an NFL quarterback. After finishing a stint as a graduate assistant at Northwestern University, Reid brought Kafka back to Kansas City—a big vote of confidence.
Reid has been openly complimentary of Kafka in the past. “I think once you meet him, I think you’ll see he’s a smart guy,” Reid said during Kafka’s rookie year. “He has some of the intangible things – the leadership, he’s a tough kid. Inner-city, Chicago kid. He’s got a little grit to him. I think that’s important. You have to be wired right to handle you guys and play in the city of Philadelphia. I think he’s wired right. He likes to compete.”
While the Mahomes coattails are sure to be a common criticism here, the interest in Kafka runs deeper than just one quarterback.
The biggest question around this potential hire would be whether or not Kafka would want to call plays on offense. In his current role with the Giants, head coach Brian Daboll assumed play-calling responsibilities in 2024 after Kafka handled them the previous two seasons.
