Five things to know about new Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
1. Kafka spent the last five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he began as the offensive quality control coach in 2017. He then became the Chiefs' quarterbacks coach in 2018, where he served in that role for two seasons before adding the title of passing game coordinator in 2020. His coaching career began at Northwestern in 2016, where he spent one season as a graduate assistant. Kafka was also an NFL quarterback from 2010-2015, spending time with seven different teams as a backup quarterback and practice squad member.
2. Kafka has led one of the most elite quarterback rooms in the NFL over the last four seasons. The Chiefs ranked fourth in the NFL with 281.8 passing yards per game in 2021 after leading the league in the category in 2020 (303.4). Patrick Mahomes put together another campaign with 4,500 passing yards and 35+ passing touchdowns this past season, the third time he has accomplished the feat in four years. In his first season as quarterbacks coach in 2018, Kafka helped guide Mahomes to the franchise's first NFL MVP Award after he broke four Chiefs passing records and became only the second QB to pass for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season.
3. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Kafka returned to his alma mater where he served as an offensive graduate assistant at Northwestern University. With Kafka on the coaching staff, the Wildcats averaged 398.2 yards and 26.0 points per game. Northwestern earned a trip to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl that season, where they beat No. 23 Pittsburgh 31-24. Wide receiver Austin Carr was awarded the Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year after finishing with 84 receptions for 1,196 yards and 12 touchdowns.
View photos of the three Giants coordinators - OC Mike Kafka, DC Don 'Wink' Martindale, and STC Thomas McGaughey.
Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka
Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale
Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale walks on the field during an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Owings Mills, Md., Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants special team coordinator Thomas McGaughey during an NFL football training camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center on Wednesday July 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 33-28. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants at Washington Football Team 2021
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks Coach Mike Kafka during the National Anthem prior to the AFC Championship football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, left, watches Patrick Mahomes, right, and Chad Henne, center, during pre-game warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, sits on the bench with quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, center, and quarterback Chad Henne during pre-game warmups before the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo.. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, left, watches Chad Henne during pre-game warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Mike Kafka during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 in Denver. The Chiefs won 28-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants participate in Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, left, watches Patrick Mahomes during pre-game warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks Coach Mike Kafka on the bench during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, January 8, 2021 in Denver. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey watches from the sidelines during a NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka sits next to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, during pre-game warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka during pre-game warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka watches during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Mike Kafka before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale watches pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in Chicago. The Ravens defeated the Bears 16-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey looks on before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka watches before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, center, watches quarterbacks Chad Henne, right, and Patrick Mahomes during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey watches from the sidelines during a NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka watches Patrick Mahomes during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in Chicago. The Ravens defeated the Bears 16-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, center, during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka looks from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won the game 41-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka looks from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won the game 41-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale stands on the playing field in pre game warm up during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Chicago. The Ravens defeated the Bears 16-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale watches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Chicago. The Ravens defeated the Bears 16-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks and passing game coordinator Mike Kafka during pre-game warmups before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale walks onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday Nov. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia.
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale talks with reporters after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 20-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks up from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Raiders won the game in overtime 23-17. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 31-25 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs drills with coach Mike Kafka during practice on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Davie, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on as players work out during the team's NFL football training, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey walks on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots won 22-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs drills with coach Mike Kafka during practice on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Davie, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale greets fans before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey talks with Cleveland Browns Special Team Coordinator Mike Priefer before a NFL football game, Sunday Dec.20, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on during the team's NFL football organized team activities, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks Coach Mike Kafka coaching during an NFL Football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday December 27, 2020 in Kansas City. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, left, talk with linebacker L.J. Fort (3) during the team's NFL football organized team activities, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale observes during NFL football practice, Wednesday, June 2, 2021 in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale during the first half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 26-23 in overtime. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey talks to his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale watches pregame warmups before an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Seattle. The Ravens defeated the Seahawks 30-16. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs drills with coach Mike Kafka during practice on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Davie, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale arrives before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 26-23 in overtime. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants special teams coach Thomas McGaughey watches from the sidelines during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs drills with coach Mike Kafka during practice on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Davie, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 in Indianapolis. The Ravens won 20-19. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale looks on from the sideline during the 2018 NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. The Ravens won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey during a week 16 regular season game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Maryland
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale at the team's NFL football training facility in Owings Mills, Md., Wednesday, June 12, 2019 (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey leaves after speaking to the media in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. McGaughey has been doing more in the offseason than getting the Giants’ special teams ready for the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 45-year-old coordinator has undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer that strikes roughly 8,000 people in the United States annually. (AP Photo/Tom Canavan, File)
Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale directs players during an NFL football training camp practice at the team's headquarters, Friday, July 27, 2018, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, left, speaks with linebacker Terrell Suggs during NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters, Friday, July 27, 2018, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey participates in Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, left, and head coach John Harbaugh watch an NFL football training camp practice at the team's headquarters, Friday, July 20, 2018, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale walks on the field during an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Owings Mills, Md., Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
4. Kafka had a six-year playing career in the NFL where he primarily served as a backup quarterback and practice squad member. He was a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles, led at the time by Head Coach Andy Reid. Kafka appeared in four games throughout his career, all during the 2011 season with the Eagles. He also spent time with the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals.
5. Before being drafted, Kafka enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Northwestern, where he appeared in 30 games. Over his career there, he completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 4,265 yards with 19 touchdowns. He set single-game records in both passing yards (532 vs. Auburn, 2010) and rushing yards by a quarterback (217 vs. Minnesota, 2008), and his 3,725 yards of total offense as a senior in 2009 still stands as the second-most in school history. After graduating from Chicago's St. Rita High School, Kafka earned a degree in communication studies from Northwestern. Kafka and his wife, Alli, have a daughter, Ashton.
KAFKA'S COACHING CAREER
Northwestern University (2016) – Offensive Graduate Assistant
Kansas City Chiefs (2017) – Offensive Quality Control
Kansas City Chiefs (2018-2019) – Quarterbacks
Kansas City Chiefs (2020-2021) Quarterbacks & Passing Game Coordinator
