Quick Facts
- Role: Head Coach
- Team: Atlanta Falcons (ATL)
- Current holder: Kevin Stefanski (age 43; second NFL HC job after Cleveland)
- Coaching tree: Kubiak-Shanahan adjacent (via his Vikings OC stint) — see Coaching Trees
2026 Outlook
Falcons face a crisis depth situation on the defensive line heading into training camp after losing their two best pass rushers: Jalon Walker (torn ACL) and James Pearce Jr. (first 8 games suspension). Stefanski is bringing in veteran reinforcements including familiar faces from his Browns tenure—notably reuniting with Za'Darius Smith, who signed a 1-year deal in mid-August. This approach prioritizes continuity and proven production over draft capital, leveraging Stefanski's prior relationships to fill immediate needs. (per Falcons sign veteran Za'Darius Smith to aid pass rush)
Background
Was the Cleveland Browns' head coach until he was fired this offseason. Got the Browns job because of his prior work as the Minnesota Vikings' offensive coordinator. Won AP Coach of the Year twice in Cleveland.
Scheme and Tendencies
Run-heavy, play-action offense. In Cleveland, his offenses finished 8th in pass rate (62.2%) last year despite shaky QB play; should be a pass-rate bump for Atlanta (which was bottom-five in pass rate at 55.9% in 2025). Tommy Rees is OC. Jeff Ulbrich retained as DC.
QB room: Michael Penix Jr. (coming off ACL) plus the league's most expensive backup in Kirk Cousins.
Recent News
- 2026-08-28 — 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Friday's games (2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Friday's games)
- 2026-08-27 — NFL Catchup: No More Pro Bowl, Mahomes To Miss Preseason & Falcons QB Battle Update (NFL Catchup: No More Pro Bowl, Mahomes To Miss Preseason & Falcons QB Battle Update)
- 2026-08-26 — 4 NFL Players Who Could Gain Fantasy Football Value With an Early-Season Trade (4 NFL Players Who Could Gain Fantasy Football Value With an Early-Season Trade)
- 2026-07-24 — NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses (NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses)
- 2026-08-19 — Updated Week 1 Fantasy Football Team Defense (DEF) Rankings (2026) (Updated Week 1 Fantasy Football Team Defense (DEF) Rankings (2026))
- 2026-06-26 — Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season (Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season)
- 2026-07-21 — Previewing the top storylines for 2026 NFL training camps (Previewing the top storylines for 2026 NFL training camps)
- 2026-08-15 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: DJ Moore Injured In Bills Preseason Game Against Panthers (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: DJ Moore Injured In Bills Preseason Game Against Panthers)
- 2026-08-01 — 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Mid-Round Advice (2026 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Mid-Round Advice)
- 2026-08-28 — Jamey Eisenberg's Fantasy Football Running Back Tiers 3.0: What rounds to target every... (Jamey Eisenberg's Fantasy Football Running Back Tiers 3.0: What rounds to target every...)
Sources
- Fantasy Points brain trust 2026 favorite rookie landing spots
- NFL 2026 head coach cycle leaned offense (10 hires, NYT)