With Mike Kafka added to the Detroit Lions coaching staff (role to be determined), it gives general manager Brad Holmes even more information on the 2026 NFL free agency class. Following the addition of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, we explored every upcoming free agent that he has either directly coached or indirectly worked with over his coaching career
. In this companion piece, we’ll follow the same process with Kafka.Kafka has been coaching in the NFL for nine seasons, but he’s only worked
with two organizations: The Kansas City Chiefs from 2017-21 and the New York Giants from 2022-25. That results in a smaller pool of players than we saw with Petzing, but there are some very interesting names to explore.
Quarterback
- Daniel Jones (Colts): With Kafka in New York 2022-24
- Russell Wilson (Giants): New York 2025
- Tyrod Taylor (Jets): New York 2022-23
Jones never found his footing in New York, but he had a career resurgence in Indianapolis last season and will likely be one of the top two quarterbacks on the market, if he makes it there at all. Wilson was Brian Daboll’s (former Giants head coach) pick to start 2025 for the Giants, but he never saw the field again once Kafka took over, which tells you all you need to know about the chances of him coming to Detroit.
If they can’t/don’t re-sign Kyle Allen, Taylor could be an interesting vet for the Lions to consider in a backup role, and he seems like a better option than any of the quarterbacks connected to Petzing. While he started four games for the Jets this past season, he will turn 37 years old in training camp, leaving little long-term value.
Running back
- Karem Hunt (Chiefs): Kansas City 2017-18
After spending two seasons in Kansas City with Kafka, Hunt was out of the league for a season (suspension), then spent the next three seasons with Petzing (2020-22) in Cleveland, though neither coach worked directly with the back. Despite showing he still has some NFL skills as a reserve, it’d be very surprising if the Lions pursued Hunt, considering his history of off-field violence.
Wide receiver
- WanDale Robinson (Giants): New York 2022-25
- Sterling Shepard (Bucs): New York 2022-23
- Isaiah Hodgins (Giants): New York 2022-25
- Gunner Olszewski (Giants): New York 2023-25
Robinson will likely be a top free agent in this wide receiver class, while Shepard has seen his role diminish as he nears the end of his career and is reportedly contemplating retirement. Hodgins is an interesting name for the Lions to consider, as his best career moments have been under Kafka.
Hodgins was claimed by the Giants off waivers in 2022 and contributed down the stretch, including showing up big for them in the playoffs. However, he had reverted to a limited role in 2023, then spent 2024 on the Giants’ practice squad, and eventually sought out greener pastures in 2025. Last season, he bounced around a few more practice squads and rejoined the Giants two days after Kafka was promoted to interim coach. Kafka immediately worked him into the offense, and he started five of the Giants’ final seven games of the season.
Olszewski is primarily a special teamer, but he has some range to play inside and out when contributing on offense. An All-Pro punt returner in 2020 with New England, his ability to contribute in multiple phases of special teams could draw the Lions’ interest for a WR5 or WR6 role.
Tight end
- Travis Kelce (Chiefs): Kansas City 2017-21
- Darren Waller (Dolphins): New York 2023
- Daniel Bellinger (Giants): New York 2022-25
- Chris Manhertz (Giants): New York 2024-25
There’s no chance Kelce leaves Kansas City and he could end up retiring, but the rest of this group has some appeal. Waller played well in his one season in New York, but he retired temporarily in 2024, and when he returned in 2025, the Giants traded him to Miami. Waller will turn 34 during training camp, and he could always opt to retire again, but when healthy, he remains a productive player who can create mismatches in the passing game.
One of the reasons the Giants felt they could move on from Waller was that they were invested in rookie Theo Johnson and had Bellinger locked into a TE2 role. Bellinger is really an ideal fit for what the Lions will likely be looking for in a tight end this offseason, and I believe they would pursue him even without a connection to Kafka. A solid TE2 with spot starting capabilities, Bellinger is a capable blocker in the pass and run games, has the position range to line up at multiple spots (including as an H-back), and possesses reliable hands (only three career drops).
Manhertz, like Waller, will also turn 34 this offseason, but he is a reliable veteran leader who excels as a blocker across all facets of the offense. His experience in 12- and 13-personnel sets makes him a potential option for a TE3 or TE4 type of role.
Offensive line
- Jermaine Eluemunor, RT (Giants): New York 2024-25
- Greg Van Roten, RG (Giants): New York 2024-25
- Evan Neal, T/G (Giants): New York 2022-25
- Joshua Ezeudu, T (Giants): New York 2022-25
- Austin Schlottmann (Giants): New York 2024-25
- Aaron Stinnie (Giants): New York 2024-25
Eluemunor was the Giants’ starting right tackle the past few seasons and is a solid all-around offensive lineman. He’s very capable in the run game and showed improvement as a pass protector last season, though he takes a ton of penalties (tied for league lead amongst OL). Spotrac’s market value suggests a very reasonable $8.6M per year price tag (which seems low to me), and if that’s indeed the case, I’m sure the Lions would overlook him trashing Aidan Hutchinson last year, despite Hutchinson making the game-winning sack against the Giants.
Van Roten has been the Giants’ starting right guard the past two seasons, but he has experience starting at left guard and center over his career. He’s been a very steady player for the Giants, but he’ll turn 36 years old this offseason, so it’s difficult to say how long that would sustain, which makes it difficult to rely on him as a full-time starter in the future.
The Giants selected Neal seventh overall in 2022, and it’s fair to say his career has been a bust so far. That being said, sometimes fresh starts can revive careers, and Neal is shifting his offseason training to work with LeCharles Bentley, where he’ll train alongside Lions Taylor Decker (if he doesn’t retire) and Giovanni Manu. A prove-it one-year contract with no guarantees could be worth a shot to see what he has left.
