The Detroit Lions have hired Mike Kafka as their new passing game coordinator. Kafka seems excited, to say the least, to start strongly with quarterback Jared Goff.

While speaking on a Detroit Lions podcast, Kafka said, “Yeah, number one, he’s a competitor, he’s an operator, and it’s really a credit to coach Brunell as well, who’s been with him throughout this whole journey.”

Mark Brunell is the current quarterbacks coach for the Lions. Following his time with the Rams, Goff joined the Lions in 2021, the same year Brunell joined the Lions. 

Kafka, a Chicago native who played for the Northwestern Wildcats. The former quarterback was in the NFL for five seasons, transitioning to coaching after his playing career. Kafka returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant and began his coaching journey. 

Kafka joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 as an offensive quality control coach, eventually being promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2018. In 2019, he helped Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs win a Super Bowl. 

“It’ll be good to work with a guy like that, who’s a veteran, like you said, has seen a lot of different things, whether it's coverage schemes, fronts, pressures…,” Kafka said. 

Jared Goff has been indispensable for the Lions and that QB spot. He had a breakout season in 2025, scoring 34 touchdowns and throwing for 4564 passing yards (2nd in league.)

Kafka will only add more to Goff’s game. A note to remember is that Kafka was a quarterback himself and also a quarterbacks coach, a Super Bowl-winning one at that. 

Another Lions Coach Had Nothing but Praise for Jared Goff

The former number one overall draft pick will be entering his 11th NFL season. This season, he has a new shot caller in Drew Petzing.

It's safe to say that the new OC is excited to work with Goff for the upcoming season.

“He’s as impressive as a quarterback as I’ve seen watching tape,” said Petzing.

The five-time Pro Bowler will look to lead this offense back to the years the Lions won the NFC North division. 

Jared Goff is not the most mobile quarterback in the league, but the newly hired offensive coordinator believes that Goff can still create havoc for the opposition defense.

“Yes, he’s a pocket passer, but he’s made some great plays in the keeper game, on the move,” said Petzing. "There are just so many things that he does at a really high level that, again, it all goes back to what puts stress on a defense."

Detroit fans, what do you think about the offensive unit's new look? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Kalp Thaker