Mike Kafka hasn’t even taken to the field as the interim New York Giants boss, and he has already shown that he is unafraid to make some bold decisions. It was announced that Kafka, the Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, would be taking over as until the end of the season after New York fired Brian Daboll on Monday following a 2-8 start to the 2025 NFL season.Giants OC Mike Kafka assumes head coaching responsibilities in the interim as the search begins for a new permanent head coachGettyKafka was part of Andy Reid’s coaching treeGettyJust hours after taking over, the 38-year-old revealed that he was going to start third-string quarterback Jameis Winston over veteran backup and Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson in their Week 11 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This came amid the news that rookie Jaxson Dart would be ruled out due to a concussion that he suffered in a loss to the Chicago Bears. “My only focus is just the players,” Kafka said earlier this week, downplaying the fact that this is his first-ever game in the HC role.“We need to make sure as a group, as a staff, we come together, put together a great plan, and really just focus on what the most important thing is.” Having started his coaching career at his alma mater Northwestern as a graduate assistant, Kafka then joined Andy Reid at the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.There, he held multiple roles, including quarterbacks coach, where he helped Patrick Mahomes claim his first MVP award, before the franchise QB led the team to their first Super Bowl championship since 1969.Ahead of the Giants’ game against the Packers at MetLife Stadium, Kafka revealed that his mentor Big Red – who was also his coach when he was playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (2010-11) – had reached out to him.“It was great to hear from him and him just, I’ll keep it private for what we talked about,” Kafka told the media. “But it was great to hear from him, great to have his support.“I know he’s busy, too, and so for him to take some time out of his day to give me a shot was cool.”Giants players have faith in Kafka As the week has progressed, Big Blue players have slowly been becoming accustomed to Kafka’s alternative approach to coaching, with him preferring to be more of a calming presence than that of Daboll, who was unafraid to show his passion and intensity.Kafka nurtured superstar Patrick Mahomes when he was the quarterbacks coach in Kansas CityGettyWinston has got the nod from Kafka to start on Sunday vs the PackersGettyThe general consensus is that this could help the Giants late in games, especially with their struggles this season, where they have lost twice despite having led by 10-plus points with under four minutes remaining.Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who will be catching footballs from his third quarterback in 11 games, spoke in more depth on Kafka’s approach to his players on the sideline. “He’s probably naturally a little bit more of a calmer personality, so to speak,” Slayton said. “But that can be helpful, especially in a high-pressure game like we’re in, week in and week out, that calmer presence can definitely be beneficial.”Week 1 starter Wilson, who has earned $310 million over his career, struggled against the Bears after Dart’s concussion, and Winston will be under center as Kafka makes his debut.“He’s poised,” Winston said. “He’s very poised on the sideline. “And don’t get me wrong, this is a very challenging situation because I would not be here if it weren’t for Brian Daboll. “I am so grateful for him and the opportunity that he forwarded me to come to New York and do what I love.”talkSPORT reacts... Russell Wilson's career done after brutal Giants blowThis is it for Russell Wilson. It’s over.He couldn’t live up to his monster contract in Denver and he was booed by Giants fans before playing a single snap.Jaxson Dart is the obvious future in New York. Winston is a fill-in backup until the next head coach arrives.The Giants are going nowhere in 2025 — just like Wilson. Brian T. Smith, Senior US WriterView Tweet: https://t.co/OEGm8JtwhMKafka now has eight weeks to show that he is deserving of the job full time, with North Carolina head coach and six-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots Bill Belichick confirming he will not be pursuing an NFL return. Currently in the first year of his $50 million contract, Belichick distanced himself from the Giants open vacancy, despite having helped New York to win two Super Bowls when he was an assistant coach there. “I have great respect for and genuinely care about the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families,” Belichick wrote in a statement Friday.“The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey. It was a privilege to work for the Mara family and serve as a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade.“However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head-coaching vacancies.”Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more. 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