Giants Fire Brian Daboll After Another Collapse in Chicago

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll on Monday, one day after another crushing defeat underscored the team’s continued decline. The 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears — in which the Giants surrendered a double-digit fourth-quarter lead — marked the breaking point for ownership, ending Daboll’s tenure less than three years after he was named NFL Coach of the Year.

“The past few seasons have been nothing short of disappointing,” Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said in a joint statement. “We have not met our expectations for this franchise, and we understand the frustrations of our fans. We will work to deliver a significantly improved product.”

Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Kafka, who was a finalist for multiple head-coaching jobs in recent years, now steps into a challenging role leading a 2-8 team that has regressed sharply since its surprise playoff appearance in 2022.

General manager Joe Schoen will remain in place and lead the search for Daboll’s permanent successor. Ownership expressed confidence in Schoen’s long-term plan, citing the young roster as a reason for optimism despite the team’s recent failures.

1. From Coach of the Year to Coaching Casualty

When Daboll arrived in 2022 after serving as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, he was seen as the ideal modern coach: energetic, offensive-minded, and capable of developing quarterbacks. His debut season seemed to validate that promise, as he guided New York to a 9-7-1 record and its first playoff victory in six years. But that success proved fleeting. Since then, the Giants have spiraled. They’ve gone 11-33 since the start of the 2023 season and have developed a troubling pattern of collapsing late in games. This year alone, the team has lost four contests after leading by double digits, including two in which they led by at least 10 points with under four minutes remaining — a rare feat in NFL history. Sunday’s loss in Chicago was emblematic of the Daboll era’s unraveling: moments of competence undone by costly mistakes, questionable clock management, and a defense unable to close. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered another concussion in the defeat, his fourth head injury evaluation this season, adding to the team’s ongoing health and performance issues. Despite drafting Dart and overseeing his early development — the young quarterback has accounted for 17 total touchdowns in seven starts — Daboll could not translate flashes of offensive potential into wins. His overall record of 20-40-1 (.336) ranks among the lowest of any Giants coach in the modern era.

2. Friction, Fines, and Fallout

Beyond the losses, Daboll’s tenure was marked by tension and controversy. He clashed with members of his coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who left the organization after the 2023 season following a public disagreement. Daboll was fined $100,000 earlier this year for entering the team’s medical tent while Dart was being evaluated for a concussion — an incident that drew league-wide criticism. Sources also described increasing frustration inside the organization over Daboll’s temper and sideline outbursts. In one incident, he was seen throwing a tablet in the direction of former quarterback Daniel Jones during a 2023 loss. At one point, general manager Joe Schoen reportedly monitored headset communications to evaluate the coach’s sideline behavior. Mara and Tisch opted to retain Daboll and Schoen after last season’s 3-14 campaign, citing the need for continuity. But Mara hinted at the end of that season that patience was wearing thin, saying, “The results are not even close to what we want them to be. They’re going to have to get better if we’re going to move on to Year 5.” While Schoen will now lead the team’s next phase, his future is also tied to the organization’s next hire and whether he can build a competitive roster around Dart and the team’s young core. For now, the message from ownership is clear: accountability has arrived.

3. Kafka Steps In, Future Uncertain

Mike Kafka inherits a team in transition. The 37-year-old offensive coordinator joined the Giants with Daboll in 2022 and was considered one of the league’s brightest young play-callers after helping to overhaul New York’s attack in their playoff season. His challenge now will be stabilizing a locker room that has endured back-to-back demoralizing campaigns. Kafka will not make immediate changes to the staff, according to ESPN sources, but will focus on reestablishing offensive rhythm and confidence among the players. The team has struggled in close games, and finding ways to finish strong will be central to his interim tenure. For the Giants, the coming weeks will be about assessment as much as recovery. Ownership and Schoen will begin evaluating long-term coaching candidates, with an eye toward pairing a proven leader with the developing Dart. Whether the organization leans toward an experienced head coach or another young offensive mind remains to be seen. Meanwhile, fans at MetLife Stadium have made their frustrations known, calling for sweeping change after years of stagnation. As the franchise embarks on yet another rebuild, New York’s next coaching hire may determine whether the Giants can finally move beyond a decade of mediocrity.