New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka addressed pointed criticism of his aggressive late-game play-calling during Wednesday’s press conference, following the team’s 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 12.

With a 27-24 lead and 2:59 remaining, Kafka opted for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the six-yard line instead of a field goal, resulting in an incomplete pass and a turnover that allowed Detroit to tie and eventually win.

President Donald Trump lambasted the decision on Truth Social.

“Why did the New York Football Giants (NFL) not kick that Field Goal??? Who would have done such a thing? It was CRAZY!” he wrote. “I got to watch the end of the game and thought, when they went for the touchdown instead of the 3, ‘That’s Weird!!!'”

Even injured star wide receiver Malik Nabers, sidelined since Week 4 with a torn ACL, voiced frustration in a now-deleted X post.

Malik Nabers was not a fan of Kafka’s playcalling at the end of today’s #Giants game.

He then deleted this a few minutes later. pic.twitter.com/OyNRaTjKDU

— The Giants Report (@GiantsReport1) November 23, 2025

Kafka, unfazed, embraced the scrutiny.

“This is one of the coolest things,” he said. “You get the opportunity to make tough calls. For me, that’s awesome. I love it.”

On Trump’s remarks and others — including Nabers, whom he hadn’t yet spoken to — Kafka added, “Everyone’s going to have an opinion. That’s okay… I’m going to do what’s best for the team.”

Regarding Nabers specifically, Kafka admitted he missed the tweet.

“I actually didn’t even see it. So, all I know is that I really like the call. I stand by it. I don’t have any regrets,” he said.

Kafka defended players’ rights to speak out, calling it “the beauty of the National Football League,” but noted any team-detrimental issues would be handled internally.

“We’ll address it in-house and talk through it and move on,” he said.

Kafka reiterated his philosophy: Instill aggression across the organization.

“I want our guys thinking… let’s go win it. That’s going to be our mentality,” he said.

As the 2-10 Giants limp toward the finish, Kafka’s resolve underscores a coach betting on boldness amid a season of collapse.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants’ Mike Kafka responds to criticism from President Trump, others