Jan. 17, 2026, 8:55 a.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their offseason coaching search Tuesday, conducting a virtual interview with New York Giants interim head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for their open offensive coordinator position.
Kafka, 38, is the fifth candidate Tampa Bay has spoken with since parting ways with offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard earlier this month as part of a sweeping reshaping of the coaching staff.
Before taking over as the Giants’ interim head coach in November following Brian Daboll’s firing, Kafka spent the previous few seasons as New York’s offensive coordinator. During the 2025 season, he worked closely with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, helping guide an offense that finished 13th in total yards per game (333.5), fifth in rushing yards per game (129.1), 10th in first downs per game (20.4), and 13th in interception percentage (1.90%).
Kafka’s coaching resume includes a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2017–21, where he served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, working with Patrick Mahomes early in his career and earning a reputation for quarterback development. He began his NFL coaching career after graduating from Northwestern, where he also played quarterback.
For Tampa Bay, Kafka represents an intriguing mix of experience calling plays and developing quarterbacks, something the Bucs have struggled to maintain consistently over recent seasons. Unlocking the full extent of Baker Mayfield’s arm talent and playmaking is something Tampa will look for in their next OC. The offense showed flashes in 2025 but lacked rhythm and consistency, leading head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht to look for a coordinator who can better sustain performance week to week.
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