Giants’ OC Mike Kafka to get interview for Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans head-coaching jobs

Mike Kafka, New York Giants offensive coordinator, will receive an interview for the Carolina Panthers vacant head-coaching job, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Kafka will also receive an interview for the Houston Texans head-coaching vacancy.

In a Monday story on possible head-coaching opportunities for Kafka and Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, we mentioned the Panthers as a possibility for Kafka because they are apparently seeking to speak with “rising offensive gurus.”

Per NFL rules, interested teams cannot conduct an in-person interview with Kafka until next week after the conclusion of the wild-card round of playoff games. Before the conclusion of the wild-card round, in-person interviews may only be held with candidates employed by the team hiring a head coach or not currently employed by the NFL.

Kafka, 35, is in his first season as Giants’ offensive coordinator. This has been his first season as an NFL play caller.

Kafka was given play-calling responsibilities by head coach Brian Daboll, despite Daboll’s long record of success as an offensive play caller. Kafka has been part of a staff that has helped Daniel Jones to the best season of his four-year career, and has gotten production from a group on wide receivers not expected to be major contributors to NFL rosters this season.

The Giants have improved from 4-13 to 9-7-1 and their first playoff berth since 2016.

Kafka spent the first five seasons of his NFL coaching career working for Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs. The last two of his seasons with the Chiefs were spent as the team’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

Kafka, a quarterback, was drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. He played in four games, all with the Eagles in 2011, during a career as a journeyman backup that ended in 2015.

Carolina fired head coach Matt Rhule after five games this season. Interim coach Steve Wilks guided the Panthers to a 6-6 record over the final 12 games. The Texans fired coach Lovie Smith on Monday after his only season as Texans’ head coach.