Mike Kafka likely didn’t expect that his first stretch as the New York Giants’ interim head coach would include responding to public criticism from both one of his star players and the President of the United States. But after his late-game decision in the Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions, he found himself addressing pointed comments from Malik Nabers and Donald Trump.
Kafka’s choice came with under three minutes left in a tight 34–27 defeat at Ford Field. Leading 27–24, the Giants faced a 4th-and-goal. Instead of taking a short field goal that would have pushed the margin to six and forced Detroit to score a touchdown, Kafka kept the offense on the field in hopes of sealing the win. The gamble backfired, and reactions poured in fast.
N abers, the sixth pick in the 2024 draft, blasted the decision in a social media post he later deleted. His message questioned why the Giants didn’t run the ball to burn timeouts, then settle for the easy three points. “Football common sense,” he wrote, clearly frustrated.
Then Donald Trump chimed in, wondering publicly why the Giants didn’t take the field goal. He called the choice “crazy” and said it made no sense to go for the touchdown.
Kafka Offers Calm, Thoughtful Answer to Presidential Critique
Speaking on November 26, Kafka responded with surprising composure. He said he embraces the responsibility of making high-pressure decisions and understands that everyone—from players to family members—will have an opinion. His stance was simple: he did what he believed would give his team the best chance to win and stands by it.
Kafka acknowledged that being second-guessed is part of the job but emphasized that he relishes the challenge. For a first-time head coach hoping to earn a long-term opportunity, projecting confidence and ownership of tough calls may help his résumé, even if the choice didn’t work out.
Not everyone viewed the decision as admirable, though. Author Gary Myers argued that the call alone should disqualify Kafka from earning the permanent head-coaching role, insisting that kicking the field goal was the obvious move.
Why Kafka’s Decision Made Sense
Despite the harsh reviews, Kafka had reasons to be aggressive. He had just dismissed defensive coordinator Shane Bowen because the defense was collapsing late in games, and trusting that unit to protect a slim lead against Detroit felt like a losing bet. His defense even struggled getting personnel on the field when it mattered most.
Kafka’s willingness to make changes quickly—such as replacing Bowen after the game—also reflects his commitment to fixing problems in real time.
Giants Downplay Nabers’ Frustration
Nabers has openly vented about play-calling before, but Kafka brushed off the receiver’s latest outburst. He told reporters he hadn’t seen the post and reiterated that he supported the decision completely. He also emphasized that his goal was to stay aggressive and try to win outright.
Despite Nabers’ unhappiness, he remains the centerpiece of the Giants’ offense, even while recovering from a torn ACL. Ironically, Kafka’s more aggressive approach has helped fellow receiver Wan’Dale Robinson explode, including a 100-yard first quarter against Detroit. Kafka’s vertical passing concepts have breathed life into an offense that previously struggled to generate explosive plays—precisely the kind of environment Nabers thrives in.
Whether Kafka keeps the headset in 2025 remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: he won’t be criticized for being timid.
