UPDATE: Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will interview with the Bears on Thursday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The Bears continue to cast a wide net with their search for a new head coach, including a local product.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Bears requested to speak with New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka:

Kafka, 37, was born and raised in the Chicago area. He attended high school at St. Rita and college at Northwestern before being drafted in the fourth round (122nd overall) by the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kafka only saw action at quarterback in four NFL games in his career, completing 11 passes for 16 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. He bounced around the league until 2015, spending time with a slew of different teams, working as a backup or on practice squads.

He was a starter in his final year at Northwestern (2009) and led the Big Ten in completions (319), attempts (492), passing yards (3,430) and yards per game (263.8) while throwing 16 touchdown passes and rushing for eight more scores.

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After his playing days were done, Kafka returned to Northwestern as a graduate assistant for a season and then moved into the pro ranks.

He spent five years with the Kansas City Chiefs, first as an offensive quality control coach and then as a quarterbacks coach. He also added “passing game coordinator” to his resume the final two seasons in K.C.

Kafka got the job as the Giants’ offensive coordinator before the 2022 season, when Brian Daboll took over as head coach in New York.

Kafka has been the OC all three years in New York, and in 2024, he also served as the assistant head coach.

The Giants’ offense has been one of the worst in football the past two seasons, ranking 31st in points scored in 2024 and 30th in 2023.

The Giants had three different quarterbacks start through a tumultuous 2024 campaign, but despite that, Kafka helped get the most out of star rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who finished with 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.

Since New York finished the season 3-14 and out of the playoffs, the Bears can interview Kafka later this week (they must wait for three days after the final game).

Click here for the full list of rules Warren, Poles must follow for coach interviews.