Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, former New York Giants offensive coordinator and interim head coach Mike Kafka is joining the Detroit Lions in a high-ranking offensive staff role.

Kafka interviewed for the Lions’ offensive coordinator vacancy before Detroit and Lions head coach Dan Campbell hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

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The 38-year-old Kafka also interviewed with the Giants for its head coaching vacancy and with the Philadelphia Eagles for its offensive coordinator opening.

Ultimately, Kafka’s 2026 landing spot is alongside quarterback Jared Goff, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and all of the rest of the Lions’ offensive weaponry.

Detroit finished 9-8 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. While the Lions’ offense ranked No. 4 in points per game (28.3) and No. 5 in total offense (373.2 yards per game), Detroit’s offense took a step back up front and failed to deliver in some of its biggest moments of the season.

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In Kafka, the Lions are adding a voice that started his NFL coaching career under Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. Kafka helped direct Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to his first MVP in 2018 as KC’s quarterbacks coach.

In 2019, Kafka won Super Bowl LIV with Kansas City as the Chiefs quarterbacks coach. Kansas City advanced to four straight AFC Championship games with Kafka as its quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator (2020-21). The Chiefs also advanced to Super Bowl LV to cap the 2020 NFL season, falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kafka was hired as the Giants‘ offensive coordinator in February of 2022. During his time in New York, the Giants earned a postseason berth and advanced to the NFC divisional round in 2022. Then-Giants quarterback Daniel Jones passed for a career-high 3,205 passing yards.

Giants receiver Malik Nabers had a breakout rookie campaign in 2024, where Nabers reeled in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Nabers’ 109 receptions set a new rookie record for wide receivers and surpassed the Giants’ single-season franchise record set by Steve Smith in 2009 (107).

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Alongside Nabers, fellow rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (1,123 yards) combined to become just the third rookie duo in NFL history to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Kafka also oversaw the development of Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart this past season. In 14 games and in 12 starts in 2025, Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart passed for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dart ran for an additional 487 yards and nine touchdowns.

Detroit and the Giants battled into overtime in Week 12 of last season, with the Lions winning, 34-27. Minus its starting quarterback in Dart, backup Giants quarterback Jameis Winston passed for 366 yards and a pair of scores as New York registered 517 yards of total offense.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions adding Mike Kafka in high-ranking offensive staff role