After failing to qualify for the playoffs, Dan Campbell is rebuilding his coaching staff with the Detroit Lions. Campbell has already hired a new offensive coordinator. But that is not all. Now, the Lions have added even more help for the offense.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions have recruited former NFL quarterback Mike Kafka as a “high-ranking offensive assistant. ” His official title has not yet been announced.
Kafka has swiftly risen up the coaching ranks since his NFL playing career ended following the 2015 season. He began working as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2016. Kafka was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach a year later.
Kafka was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2018, a role he held through 2019. In 2020, the Chiefs promoted Kafka to passing game coordinator. For two seasons, he held the position.
Detroit is a good landing location for the former NFL quarterback who has worked as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator for the past four seasons. Kafka ended the season as New York’s interim head coach, but John Harbaugh has already taken over the position full-time.
If the Lions’ offense recovers, Kafka, 38, is a strong candidate for promotion following the season. Whether he does so with Detroit or with another organization remains to be seen, but first, he must shine in his new post.
