The Atlanta Falcons fired Raheem Morris after their final game of the 2025 NFL season. The NFC South team finished the year on a four-game winning streak and with the same record as division champions, the Carolina Panthers (8-9), but Morris was still unable to save his job.
The Falcons then began their search for a new head coach, led by franchise legend Matt Ryan, who was recently hired as the team’s president of football. Ryan and the organization ultimately hired Kevin Stefanski as the new head coach, with their decision influenced by the New York Giants’ hiring of John Harbaugh.
Details on Falcons Hiring Kevin Stefanski
Stefanski had his in-person interview with the Falcons on Saturday, and the franchise made sure he did not leave the building without agreeing to a deal. Had the contract not been signed that day, the head coach would have traveled to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for his second interview.
The Falcons were unable to hire Harbaugh in a similar manner, as the Giants did not allow him to leave the building and signed him to a five-year, $100 million deal.
“ESPN sources: the Atlanta Falcons are finalizing a deal to hire Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach,” wrote NFL insider Adam Schefter on X. “The two-time NFL Coach of the Year flew to Atlanta on Saturday, and now will stay on to take over the Falcons’ head coaching job.”
ESPN sources: the Atlanta Falcons are finalizing a deal to hire Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. The two-time NFL Coach of the Year flew to Atlanta on Saturday, and now will stay on to take over the Falcons’ head coaching job. pic.twitter.com/1Kc4MKygos
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2026
NFL insider Dianna Russin also provided an update on how Stefanski’s staff in Atlanta could look. “Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff could look familiar to what we saw in Cleveland, with Bill Callahan coaching the offensive line and Tommy Rees serving as offensive coordinator,” she wrote on X. “Details are still being worked through.”
Stefanski also released a statement after getting hired by the Falcons. “I’m beyond thrilled to be charged with leading this iconic franchise,” he said. “I am grateful to Mr. Blank and Matt Ryan for trusting me to coach this football team and there are many talented players on our roster that I cannot wait to coach.”
“We share a vision for this football team that I believe will make Falcons fans everywhere proud,” Stefanski added. “We will get to work immediately putting together a first-class coaching staff and working hard to get to know all the great people that are so important to getting us all where we want to go.”
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While Atlanta will not be paying Stefanski a $20 million salary, they were still able to land a quality head coach. The 43-year-old is already a two-time Coach of the Year, and many believe he did an excellent job in Cleveland despite the instability at the quarterback position.
The Falcons have multiple playmakers on their roster — including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts — with whom Stefanski could work wonders. Although there is a major question mark at quarterback in Atlanta, the new head coach will have the option of choosing between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
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Stefanski has already worked with Cousins for two years in Minnesota as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, which should make it easier for the two to get on the same page.
As for Penix Jr., he recently suffered another season-ending injury and may not be ready to start the season. As a result, Cousins is likely to be the Falcons’ Week 1 starter in 2026.
The 37-year-old quarterback still has two years left on the four-year, $180 million contract he signed in 2023, and it could be beneficial for Penix to learn under him for another year while he recovers from his injury.
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Falcons’ offense ranked 18th in the league last year. Stefanski, known for his offensive prowess, is the right fit to get the best out of the unit.
