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🚨 OFFICIAL: Mike Kafka joins the Detroit Lions and immediately makes a bold move that has the entire NFL buzzing

The Detroit Lions have captured the NFL’s attention after unexpectedly appointing Mike Kafka to their offensive coaching staff at the start of the offseason. Not as an Offensive Coordinator, nor in a familiar role, Kafka was given a high-level offensive position with strategic influence. What stirred public debate wasn’t the vague title, but the speed and decisiveness of his earliest proposals.

Lions line up interview with Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka

According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, Kafka was a candidate interviewed by multiple teams for offensive coordinator and even head coaching roles, including the Philadelphia Eagles. At 38 years old, Kafka is highly regarded for his system-driven mindset and ability to restructure offenses. Detroit did not hand him the OC role, but clearly views him as a key piece of Dan Campbell’s long-term vision.

Just days after officially taking the job, Kafka stunned Lions leadership by submitting a plan to restructure the offense. His proposal included the potential release of two veteran pillars: running back David Montgomery and center Graham Glasgow. It was an extremely sensitive recommendation, as both players are respected veterans who helped define the Lions’ physical football identity.

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From a football standpoint, Kafka believes Detroit’s offense showed clear signs of stagnation during the 2025 season. Montgomery’s production dipped following injuries, while Glasgow, now 33, no longer aligns with the team’s push for speed and youth along the offensive line. In Kafka’s view, the Lions need stamina, explosiveness, and four-quarter intensity.

Graham Glasgow explains why he chose to rejoin the Lions instead of looking  at other offers

In a message delivered to the locker room, Kafka made his philosophy unmistakably clear: “There is no room for compromise. Reputation or contracts don’t keep you here. Every player has to prove their value every day, in every practice and every snap. If you fit the new direction, you stay. If not, the team moves forward without hesitation.”

The response from general manager Brad Holmes was what truly shocked the league. Holmes did not immediately approve the cuts, but publicly supported Kafka’s vision. He confirmed that Montgomery and Glasgow would be given a fair opportunity within the new system, while stressing that no one is exempt. Final decisions will be based on performance, not past status.

If Kafka’s plan moves forward, the Lions could free up cap space and open doors for younger talents like Ratledge and Mahogany to rise. The risk, of course, is losing veteran leadership within an experienced offensive unit. But the message is unmistakable: Detroit is entering a ruthless evaluation phase — and Mike Kafka did not arrive to preserve the status quo.

 

Legendary Maurice Jones-Drew warns Jaguars GM James Gladstone: Tough decisions worth more than $17 million await ahead
The Jacksonville Jaguars closed the 2025 season with many positive signs, but according to team legend Maurice Jones-Drew, this is not the time for complacency. In his latest analysis, the former Pro Bowl running back believes the Jaguars are standing at a critical crossroads: either accept painful personnel decisions, or remain tied down by inefficient salary-cap spending. Jones-Drew emphasized that Jacksonville’s biggest issue is not a lack of star power, but how resources are allocated. With Trevor Lawrence entering a pivotal stage of his career, the Jaguars need financial flexibility to protect their franchise quarterback and complete the roster. According to Jones-Drew, decisively moving on from two underperforming players could free up more than $13–17 million in cap space. The first name Jones-Drew pointed to is Walker Little, a left tackle once expected to become a long-term cornerstone. However, inconsistent performance and a history of injuries have kept Little from meeting expectations. With his 2026 cap hit ranging from roughly $7.2 million to more than $14 million depending on structure, he has become a clear trade candidate in the eyes of analysts. According to Jones-Drew, the Jaguars need to upgrade the offensive line in both quality and youthful depth. Keeping Little no longer aligns with that direction. Moving on from him would not only save cap space, but could also bring back draft picks to reinvest in protecting Trevor Lawrence — a priority that is vital to the team’s future. The second name generating even more debate is Brian Thomas Jr. The young wide receiver has shown upside, but his second season produced just 728 yards and included early-season drop issues. With a crowded receiver room featuring Travis Hunter, Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and the possibility of retaining Tim Patrick, the Jaguars are viewed as being able to “shop” Thomas Jr. without damaging the offensive structure. Jones-Drew delivered a blunt warning message to the Jaguars’ leadership: “You can’t build a championship team if you keep holding on to contracts that don’t deliver matching value. Sometimes the best way forward is accepting loss. These decisions aren’t about a lack of belief in the player, but about responsibility to the team’s future.” According to the former Jaguars star, the money saved from these two potential moves should be reinvested directly into protecting Trevor Lawrence and strengthening both sides of the ball. Jones-Drew’s final message is crystal clear: Jacksonville does not lack talent, but the path back to Super Bowl contention begins only when GM James Gladstone is willing to make the toughest decisions.