The fallout from the Atlanta Falcons’ draft weekend is getting uglier by the day — and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is right at the center of it. Ulbrich, who has coached in the NFL since 2010, is now facing an uproar of calls for his firing after his son prank-called former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft. Making matters worse, the prank reportedly stemmed from Ulbrich’s mishandling of Sanders’ private phone number.
Cowboys Legend Dez Bryant, NFL Fans Demand Accountability of Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich
What could’ve been one of the most important moments of Sanders’ life instead turned into a public embarrassment. Once projected to be a top-10 pick, he slid to the fifth round before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns. As the room watched, a call came in impersonating Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, falsely telling Sanders he was about to be drafted.
Trying to impersonate Loomis, the caller said, “How are you, man? Yeah, it’s been a long wait, man. We’re gonna take you with our next pick right here, man.”
“We were waiting on ya,” Sanders replied.
Before hanging up the phone, Ulbrich’s son had a parting message: “Yeah, you’re gonna have to wait a little longer, man.”
“He bought it,” someone exclaimed, as the teens broke out in laughter.
As the details of the video surfaced, outrage spread across social media. Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant and NFL fans have called for Ulbrich’s immediate firing, citing both negligence and a complete breakdown in professional responsibility.
On April 26, Bryant responded to the prank-call video, quickly pointing the finger at a third party, believing that individual deserved serious consequences for their actions.
“Jeff Ulbrich has proven himself to be at best negligent and someone who can’t be trusted with sensitive information,” one NFL fan posted. “He should be fired immediately. Let’s see if the NFL holds their coaches to a higher standard than 20-year-old QB prospects.”
jeff ulbrich has proven himself to be at best negligent and someone who can’t be trusted with sensitive information. He should be fired immediately.
Let’s see if the NFL holds their coaches to a higher standard than 20yrs old QB prospects. pic.twitter.com/yuRSBt2rd3
— ReformedMilkMan đź‡đź‡ą (@CharlesDaLast) April 27, 2025
Another added, “Jeff Ulbrich should be FIRED or FINED!! Your son isn’t a kid anymore. What he did and what others did to these prospects is unacceptable. Those phone numbers should be kept private. If I’m a player or organization, idk how you can trust a coach who gives out players’ numbers.”
Beyond the anger over the prank itself, many emphasized the broader issue of trust. In a league built on confidentiality and professionalism, Ulbrich’s actions raised serious questions. “Jeff Ulbrich has to be fired for the Shedeur prank phone call. It’s both a data integrity issue and for raising a dumb ass kid,” another fan wrote.
Jeff Ulbrich has to be fired for the Shedeur prank phone call. It’s both a data integrity issue and for raising a dumb ass kid.
— Devin Knotts (@devinaknotts) April 27, 2025
Some were even harsher: “Jeff Ulbrich should be fired immediately. And also for raising a loser of a kid,” one X user wrote.
Jeff Ulbrich should be fired immediately. And also for raising a loser of a kid
— Sean English (@bighoneydrizzle) April 27, 2025
There were also growing calls for the NFL to step in. “Jeff Ulbrich should be fired and the league should take a pick from the Falcons and fine them,” suggested a fan. “Jeff Ulbrich need to be fired because this is a terrible look for the NFL pranking Shedeur on the biggest day of his life,” another fan echoed.
Despite the mounting backlash, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Sunday that no disciplinary action would be taken. “The Falcons will not take any action against their defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich,” Schefter reported. “They are continuing to review their protocols to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
While Ulbrich may keep his job for now, the damage to his reputation — and the Falcons’ image — is already done.