Q: Tim Kelly is now two games into being the offensive coordinator. He talked about setting the table for you. What does that mean exactly?
Kafka: "It's everything. He helps organize the staff while I'm out doing stuff for the rest of the team, putting together game plans and working together to build those game plans. He's taken great ownership of it. He has great ideas and has always brought great thoughts to everything on our offense. He has a great perspective of being a former play-caller and former O.C. that I like to lean on."
Q: What made Charlie Bullen the right person to take over the defense? Did you have a previous relationship?
Kafka: "I hadn't had a previous relationship with him, but just watching him from afar, I obviously have a lot of respect for him as a coach, as a person. I just really believe that he's ready to take that next step and be a coordinator. I'm excited to see him put this thing together, get organized with the coaches, and then go out there and call his game."
Q: What do you get when you face a Mike Vrabel team?
Kafka: "You know they're going to be well-coached. They're going to be disciplined. They don't make a lot of mistakes. So, if they do, you have to capitalize. You're going to be ready for a tough, physical game for four quarters."
Q: How much familiarity is there going back to your AFC days?
Kafka: "Sure, there's some carryover, but it's a new team. It's a different team, different personnel grouping. Obviously Zak (Kuhr) is doing a good job of calling it and having a lot of production on defense. And then really in all the facets – run game, pass game, they're doing a really good job. They've got it dialed in. They've got it tied in together in the group, which has some veteran leadership. They have some good skill players on the perimeter, and they do a good job of just matching and tying it all together."
Q: How much overlap did you have with Josh McDaniels when you played for the Patriots?
Kafka: "I was there for one year with him. It's been a while. I was only there for a short period of time. I always respected what he had done and what he has done in his career. I have a lot of respect for him. They do a good job of coaching it. They are detailed, well-coached. Across the board, these guys do a heck of a job."
Q: Drake Maye is another member of the 2024 quarterback class that you did your homework on. What have you seen from him in this jump to Year 2?
Kafka: "We were impressed by him in the draft process, and he has certainly done a good job as a pro and taking that next step in Year 2. He's distributing the ball, making big plays, making explosive plays. All the things that we saw on tape are showing up, which is cool for a young player."
Q: Then they add TreVeyon Henderson, who has five touchdowns since Week 10.
Kafka: "I went and worked this kid out at Ohio State, and he's the same guy that I remember, man. He's a really good player. Just explosive, fast, smart, a lot of things that we covet. He does a nice job for those guys."
Q: And can return it.
Kafka: "He adds a spark. He adds a spark to that group."
Q: Your NFL coaching career began at Gillette Stadium with the Chiefs in 2017. What are your memories of that game?
Kafka: "I was quality control. That was a crazy game. It was an unbelievable atmosphere. It was their home opener, the season opener. It was just a great atmosphere. It's a great place to play football. You know you're going to get the best of the team, and you're going to get the best of the fans."
Q: What's the Thanksgiving plan for the team and for you personally since you have the extra day going into Monday Night Football?
Kafka: "Players will be off and then we'll get back to work. I thought it was important to give them some time off and be with their families, enjoy it, and be thankful for what we have in front of us."
Q: And you won't have to sleep on the air mattress.
Kafka: "Coaches will get some time as well."
Q: Lastly, how late has the late bye felt?
Kafka: "That's why I'm sleeping here. It's been crazy, yeah. But it's part of the game, man. It's part of it. Everybody's got to deal with it at some point. I'm glad it's close, but we've got this week that we've got to go, so we've got to hammer it. Whatever we've got to do to get this one right."