Dan Campbell may have had Mike Kafka on his mind weeks before hiring him

While debate among Detroit Lions fans on the Dan Petzing hire raged on, head coach Dan Campbell was quietly cooking a second hire to his offensive staff. On Monday, the Lions reportedly hired former New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka to an undisclosed role on the offense.

Kafka had been in the mix for the offensive coordinator role prior to Petzing’s hiring, which was formally announced by the team on Monday. Kafka had also interviewed for numerous coaching opportunities before joining the Lions.

Even though Campbell awarded the OC role to Petzing, it’s apparent that Kafka couldn’t escape his mind. In fact, Kafka may have been lingering in Campbell’s mind before the OC job was officially open.

Kafka and Winston embarrass the Lions' defense

Kafka had already assumed the interim head coaching duties with the Giants weeks before his team traveled to Detroit to play the Lions. The Lions were considered heavy favorites and were looking for a dominant win after a horrific performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 16-9 loss. Kafka and his Jameis Winston-led offense had other ideas.

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The Giants' offense was dominant to the tune of 517 total yards. Winston, starting his second game on the season, threw for 366 yards one week after only throwing for 201 yards in a loss against the Green Bay Packers. The Giants also went 8-16 on third downs and 1-3 on fourth downs, with a time of possession advantage of nearly nine minutes.

The Lions found themselves down by double digits at multiple points in the game before scratching and clawing their way back, sending the game into overtime on a 59-yard Jake Bates field goal. The Lions ultimately won that game thanks to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, but their defense was woefully embarrassed.

The trick play that was likely embedded into Dan Campbell’s mind

The Giants were definitely having fun at the expense of the Lions' defense. No play exemplifies that more than a single trick play.

It was 12:31 left in the fourth quarter. The Giants were up by three and on the Lions' 33-yard line. Winston snaps the ball and fakes a handoff. He instead laterals the ball to wide receiver Gunner Olszewski.

Olszewski evades Lions' pass rushers and throws the ball deep, where he finds Winston being defended by linebacker Derrick Barnes. Winston catches the ball at the Lions' 20-yard line, jukes Barnes, and walks into the endzone.

The Lions had their struggles throughout the 2025 campaign, but allowing a 33-yard touchdown reception to a backup QB, who was already tearing them apart with his arm, had to be demoralizing. It wouldn't be a shock if that play was embedded in the mind of Campbell. So much so that he had to try it himself.

In the Week 18 win against the Chicago Bears, the Lions were up 16-8 with 12:07 to go in the fourth quarter. The Lions were on the Bears' 41-yard line. At roughly the same time and field position, Campbell called a similar play.

QB Jared Goff hands the ball off to RB David Montgomery, who has been used in passing trick plays and wildcat formations in the past. Goff sprints, probably faster than he ever has in his Lions tenure.

But before Montgomery could even attempt a pass to Goff, the Lions' offensive line gave way, and he was swarmed. Montgomery fell victim to a five-yard sack on the play, and the Lions would proceed to punt.

It's not an exact replica of the play Kafka ran against the Lions. There's definitely a chance that this play was already buried in the playbook prior. In Week 18, teams typically empty out the playbook, so it could be a coincidence.

However, coaches have been known to add plays during a season, such as the famed "Stumblebum" play last season. Not to mention the Lions are also a fan of trick plays that could result in Goff receiving TDs.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that this failed trick play against the Bears was inspired to some degree by Kafka's play, whether in its creation or in bringing it out.

No matter the reason, it's clear that Campbell was a big fan of Kafka and wanted him on his offensive staff, even after hiring Petzing. Kafka's specialty in the passing game blends well with Petzing's specialty with tight ends, the OL, and run game, and that November overtime game in Detroit was an impressive showcase of that specialty.

If nothing else, adding Kafka should ensure that the next time the Lions try that play, it goes much more smoothly than it did against the Bears.