The New York Giants are currently in a state of disarray and shock. Before this season, they had high hopes as they made the playoffs a year ago for the first time since 2016. Now, as the season enters week 11, the Giants sit at 2-8. Their starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his ACL a couple of weeks ago against the Raiders. Since their backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor is still out with a rib injury, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito is currently QB1. Those high hopes have now vanished and the team must now prepare for what’s next. According to Tony Pauline, some coaching changes could be on the horizon.
Pauline is reporting that both offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale could not be retained after the season. That would leave two massive holes on the coaching staff for head coach Brian Daboll to fill this offseason. Kafka and Martindale were hired by Daboll after he was appointed head coach in 2022. Both had success in their first year, but 2023 has seen different results. If true, this could mean big changes coming up overall, and massive uncertainty awaits for both Giants coaches.
Why Are the Giants Considering This Change?
After such a successful season in 2022, few would have expected things to have come to this. After last season, both Kafka and Martindale received interest from teams regarding their head coaching vacancies. They were perceived as top coordinators in the NFL and the results proved it. Kafka helped revitalize a previously weak offense and turned it into a strong group. He helped lead Daniel Jones to having the best season of his career. Kafka also helped the Giants run game, which finished the season fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
Martindale also had similar success in his first season as Giants defensive coordinator. He brought a different intensity to the defense and they became a pressure football team. They got after the quarterback as much as possible, amongst the league leaders in blitz percentage. Dexter Lawrence had the best year of his career last year under Martindale, as he was selected to be a second-team all-pro.
In 2023, things changed as both the offense and the defense ranked amongst the worst in the league. There have been some bright spots on the team, one of them being defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who’s having a breakout season. Not much else is going right and if Pauline’s report is true, this could be a way to create a different energy. Daboll has to change something on both sides of the ball if there is to be any optimism for 2024. This could be a way of doing that and while it may be unfortunate, it might be necessary.
What’s Next for Giants Coaches
The Giants’ next three games are most likely their best chances at getting a win this season. They travel to Washington to take on the Commanders, who they’ve already beaten this season. Then they come back home to play the Patriots, who also have a 2-8 record. Then after the bye, the Giants stay home on Monday Night Football to play the Packers. If Kafka and Martindale want to save their jobs and put impressive plays on tape, these next couple of weeks will be a great opportunity to do so. The question is though, is it too late for both Giants coaches and unfortunately it may be.
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