By Moses Joshua 
Detroit widens its coaching net as an Andy Reid protégé enters the picture
The Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator hunt is heating up, and the latest name to surface is one that carries both intrigue and pedigree. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions will interview former New York Giants offensive coordinator and interim head coach Mike Kafka on Wednesday, just a day after they sit down with ex–Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
With the front office moving quickly after parting ways with John Morton, it’s becoming clear that Detroit isn’t settling for familiarity alone. They are chasing ideas, innovation, and leadership — and Kafka checks all three boxes.
From Mahomes’ Shadow to Leading His Own Offense
Kafka’s coaching résumé reads like a masterclass in modern quarterback development.
He entered the NFL coaching world in 2017 as an offensive quality control coach with the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid. By 2018, he was already quarterbacks coach, working directly with Patrick Mahomes during the early years of his superstardom. Two seasons later, he added pass game coordinator to his title, helping shape one of the league’s most dynamic aerial attacks.
In 2022, Kafka finally got his shot to run his own offense, taking over play-calling duties for the New York Giants. The Giants never cracked the league’s offensive elite during his tenure, but his fingerprints were obvious — particularly in the run game and in how the team managed young quarterbacks. This season, rookie Jaxson Dart showed flashes before injuries derailed New York’s momentum.
For a Lions team that desperately needs to modernize its attack without losing its physical edge, Kafka’s background is hard to ignore.
Detroit Already Knows What Kafka Can Do
Lions fans don’t need a scouting report to remember Kafka.
Back in November, Detroit narrowly avoided disaster against the Giants when New York — with Jameis Winston under center — exploded for 517 yards of offense. Kafka dialed up a handful of clever trick plays and nearly stole a road win against a Lions defense that simply couldn’t keep up.
That performance didn’t go unnoticed inside Allen Park.
It showed exactly what Detroit has lacked at times this season: unpredictability, aggression, and the willingness to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically in the same drive.
A Growing List of Candidates — and a Message from Detroit
Kafka now becomes the fourth known candidate in Detroit’s offensive coordinator search, joining Mike McDaniel, Jake Peetz, and Tee Martin. Before meeting with the Lions, Kafka is also scheduled to interview with Tampa Bay for their OC opening, underscoring just how hot his name has become this cycle.
The takeaway is clear: Detroit is casting a wide net.
They are not just replacing a play-caller — they are trying to redefine the identity of their offense after a season that felt flat, predictable, and far removed from the Ben Johnson era.
Kafka’s interview won’t just be about X’s and O’s. It will be about whether he can bring command, creativity, and clarity back to a unit that is supposed to be the engine of this franchise.
And this week, he’ll get his chance to prove he’s the right mechanic for the job.