Kafka to Lions who retained JON

[JustGary]

I was reading about Kafka going to the Detroit Lions as an unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant (what a title!). This was after rumors of him turning down positions at Kansas City and Philadelphia. But what really caught my eye was that the Lions retained Jim O’Neil who was a candidate for the dc position with the Jets.

Can someone explain how a person can be so bad as a college DC coach be so highly regarded as a defensive coach in the NFL? I just really don’t get it.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

I was reading about Kafka going to the Detroit Lions as an unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant (what a title!). This was after rumors of him turning down positions at Kansas City and Philadelphia. But what really caught my eye was that the Lions retained Jim O’Neil who was a candidate for the dc position with the Jets.

Can someone explain how a person can be so bad as a college DC coach be so highly regarded as a defensive coach in the NFL? I just really don’t get it.

JON was never actually a candidate for the Jets’ DC job. He got a courtesy interview from Glenn as they worked together in Detroit.

 

[CatManTrue]

I was reading about Kafka going to the Detroit Lions as an unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant (what a title!). This was after rumors of him turning down positions at Kansas City and Philadelphia. But what really caught my eye was that the Lions retained Jim O’Neil who was a candidate for the dc position with the Jets.

Can someone explain how a person can be so bad as a college DC coach be so highly regarded as a defensive coach in the NFL? I just really don’t get it.

JON’s certainly not highly regarded as a defensive coordinator at any level after he bombed out in both the NFL (twice!) and then of course college. Maybe he’s a decent defensive position coach, or maybe he’s just got a strong network of buddies.

Here’s an article from the Philadelphia perspective - some wanted Kafka as their offensive coordinator.

Given Campbell’s hot seat in Detroit, I’m surprised he went for this vague role instead of the chance to coordinate the Eagles.

Eagles lose out on another coaching candidate as Mike Kafka joins the Lions

Former Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is the latest candidate for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy to withdraw from consideration.

www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com

 

[JustGary]

JON was never actually a candidate for the Jets’ DC job. He got a courtesy interview from Glenn as they worked together in Detroit.

Still, he seems to be doing well. It just doesn’t seem right. Why do some coaches thrive in the NfL who show little ability to coach in college while other coaches thrive in college who don’t do well in the NFL? I’m not asking for a dissertation, but just something that can make me understand the difference.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Still, he seems to be doing well. It just doesn’t seem right. Why do some coaches thrive in the NfL who show little ability to coach in college while other coaches thrive in college who don’t do well in the NFL? I’m not asking for a dissertation, but just something that can make me understand the difference.

He’s a “Defensive Assistant.” That’s literally the bottom of the totem pole on an NFL staff.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

JON’s certainly not highly regarded as a defensive coordinator at any level after he bombed out in both the NFL (twice!) and then of course college. Maybe he’s a decent defensive position coach, or maybe he’s just got a strong network of buddies.

Here’s an article from the Philadelphia perspective - some wanted Kafka as their offensive coordinator.

Given Campbell’s hot seat in Detroit, I’m surprised he went for this vague role instead of the chance to coordinate the Eagles.

Eagles lose out on another coaching candidate as Mike Kafka joins the Lions

Former Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is the latest candidate for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy to withdraw from consideration.

www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com

1) Dan Campbell is not on a “hot seat.” He’s just not.
2) Pretty sure Kafka is going to Detroit to learn how to be an NFL HC, as that’s his clear goal.

 

[NU'06er]

Lions have bounceback year in '26 written all over them.

Being an offensive coordinator for a team that has guys like Amon Ra and Gibbs gives a much better chance of looking good than many other options.

 

[CatManTrue]

Still, he seems to be doing well. It just doesn’t seem right. Why do some coaches thrive in the NfL who show little ability to coach in college while other coaches thrive in college who don’t do well in the NFL? I’m not asking for a dissertation, but just something that can make me understand the difference.

He’s a “Defensive Assistant.” That’s literally the bottom of the totem pole on an NFL staff.

The Lions officially made him the “Defensive Assistant - Safeties” and in his biography they give him a lot of credit for Joseph & Branch’s stellar 2024 seasons (injuries seemed to hurt them in 2025).

He’s probably making $300-400K to coach safeties in the NFL.

He’s clearly a terrible DC, but he may be a good defensive backs coach. Or he has lots of buddies like Fitz.

Jim O'Neil

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Lions have bounceback year in '26 written all over them.

Being an offensive coordinator for a team that has guys like Amon Ra and Gibbs gives a much better chance of looking good than many other options.

He’s not the offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing is.

 

[NU'06er]

He’s not the offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing is.

Being an offensive coordinator unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant for a team that has guys like Amon Ra and Gibbs gives a much better chance of looking good than many other options.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I was reading about Kafka going to the Detroit Lions as an unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant (what a title!). This was after rumors of him turning down positions at Kansas City and Philadelphia. But what really caught my eye was that the Lions retained Jim O’Neil who was a candidate for the dc position with the Jets.

Can someone explain how a person can be so bad as a college DC coach be so highly regarded as a defensive coach in the NFL? I just really don’t get it.

When I READ this, I REACT negatively

 

[AdamOnFirst]

1) Dan Campbell is not on a “hot seat.” He’s just not.
2) Pretty sure Kafka is going to Detroit to learn how to be an NFL HC, as that’s his clear goal.

In the NFL, everybody is on the hot seat all the time.

This is still a somewhat strange situation with this weird unspecified role.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/01/26/mike-kafka-ex-ny-giants-interim-coach-joins-detroit-lions-staff/88368619007/

Unspecified role for a potentially very good offense next year may help Kafka’s career after a not so great experience with the Giants. Thought he might be going back to KC or Philly but this is an interesting next step and wish him success. (Also found this SI analysis)

What We Learned About Lions Mike Kafka From Expert Giants Reporter

Patricia Traina covers the Giants and shared what she knows about Mike Kafka

www.si.com

 

[CatManTrue]

Kafka may replace Kubiak in Seattle as OC

MSN

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Kafka may replace Kubiak in Seattle as OC

MSN

Also found this:

Seahawks Could Have Answer of Next Offensive Coordinator after Super Bowl LX

Super Bowl XL is likely the last time the Seattle Seahawks should have Klint Kubiak as the offensive coordinator. Kubiak is set to become the next head coach of

www.si.com

He’s on the path for HC sometime in the near future but needs to find success as OC first. I wonder if the Detroit position might be a better fit?

 

[NUcats92]

Kafka may replace Kubiak in Seattle as OC

MSN

I really hope he stays in Detroit

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Also found this:

Seahawks Could Have Answer of Next Offensive Coordinator after Super Bowl LX

Super Bowl XL is likely the last time the Seattle Seahawks should have Klint Kubiak as the offensive coordinator. Kubiak is set to become the next head coach of

www.si.com

He’s on the path for HC sometime in the near future but needs to find success as OC first. I wonder if the Detroit position might be a better fit?

OC for defending champions >>>>>>>> not OC elsewhere

 

[katatonic2]

1) Dan Campbell is not on a “hot seat.” He’s just not.
2) Pretty sure Kafka is going to Detroit to learn how to be an NFL HC, as that’s his clear goal.

Think Mike already has a pretty good idea in how to be a HC...

Being an offensive coordinator unspecified highly ranked offensive assistant for a team that has guys like Amon Ra and Gibbs gives a much better chance of looking good than many other options.

Especially after a disappointing season.

Just shows how stupid and shortsighted the NFL can be.

Kubiak is a good OC, but he didn't exactly have the success to be a "hot" commodity when he was in New Orleans and before that, Minnesota.

Kafka did an admirable job with the limited resources he had in NY (well, Jersey), including making Jameis look very good.

But I guess it's going to take him not only having success with an O, but overall success for him to get a real opportunity.

Unspecified role for a potentially very good offense next year may help Kafka’s career after a not so great experience with the Giants. Thought he might be going back to KC or Philly but this is an interesting next step and wish him success. (Also found this SI analysis)

These days, don't actually need to be the OC.

The Rams passing game coordinator (a familiar name), Nate Scheelhaas, was getting interest for HC positions, but ultimately, his youth worked against him.

 

[katatonic2]

Speaking of the Giants, expect them to improve under Harbaugh due to an influx of talent (via the draft and returning players from injury), a QB with a year under his belt and what should be a relatively easy schedule, but have my doubts about Harbaugh taking them to the top (unless the Giants really keep hitting on the draft and free agency).

The Ravens weren't the same every since they kept losing their best defensive minds (one having helped the other Harbaugh to win a natty; Harbaugh didn't start to beat dOSU until he had elite NFL level DCs).

 

[CatManTrue]

Think Mike already has a pretty good idea in how to be a HC...





Especially after a disappointing season.

Just shows how stupid and shortsighted the NFL can be.

Kubiak is a good OC, but he didn't exactly have the success to be a "hot" commodity when he was in New Orleans and before that, Minnesota.

Kafka did an admirable job with the limited resources he had in NY (well, Jersey), including making Jameis look very good.

But I guess it's going to take him not only having success with an O, but overall success for him to get a real opportunity.





These days, don't actually need to be the OC.

The Rams passing game coordinator (a familiar name), Nate Scheelhaas, was getting interest for HC positions, but ultimately, his youth worked against him.

Scheelhaase being named as a HC candidate shocked me. His coaching resume is very thin.

Then again, it was the Browns

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Here is a link to an interview with Kafka discussing his new position with the Lions.

Google Search

 

[Eurocat]

Jets fan here but I will always root for a NU guy. Good luck Mike, make us proud!