Head coaching searches are starting to come into focus this weekend. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is considered the “top candidate” for the open Falcons job. He’s set to conduct his second interview with Atlanta today and some sources believe they may attempt to pull the trigger. 
The reason this could be a possibility is because, as Jonathan Jones of NFL on CBS reported this morning, the Falcons are Rooney Rule compliant, so if they truly believe Stefanski is the man for them in his second interview today, they are able to hire him. The Rooney Rule requires NFL teams interviewing new head coaches or general managers to interview at least two minority candidates. The interviews must be in-person to satisfy the Rooney Rule, but Atlanta has publicly disclosed which of its interviews were virtual or in-person. Based on Jones’ report, at least two of their minority candidates must have conducted their first interview in person.
Aside from the second interview that John Harbaugh cancelled in favor of accepting the Giants’ head coaching position, no other candidate has been scheduled for a second interview in Atlanta, except for Stefanski. Stefanski, though, still has plenty of interest from other teams hoping he stays available after today’s meeting. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, he’s scheduled to head to Tennessee tomorrow following today’s interview, and the Dolphins and Ravens are both working to bring him in for second, in-person interviews on Wednesday, as well.
An indicator Stefanski may be likely to take Atlanta up on a potential offer was reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who claimed that the 43-year-old coach had done research on the potential aspect of working with current Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Team owner Arthur Blank has reportedly expressed a desire to hold on to Ulbrich, who he believes would immediately become a top DC candidate if put on the free agent market. The Cowboys requested to interview him for their open position a little over a week ago, but Blank denied their request. If Stefanski and Ulbrich seem like a good fit, the Falcons may be well on their way to filling out their staff for the 2026 NFL season.
Lots of eyes will be on reports coming out of Atlanta over the next several hours as it looks like the coaching dominos may be starting to fall. An agreement today would mark the closing of the second head coach opening in this cycle, after the Harbaugh deal was made official earlier today.
This or the Titans are a logical place for Stefanski..the fact his old QB Cousins is still in Atlanta might sweeten the deal for him….
They are not starting Cousins over a healthy Penix. Even with different leadership.
Penix wont be healthy until mid season
Yes they would…Penix is made of glass and will never see a second contract with the Falcons
They are absolutely willing to start Cousins given he is healthy after the preseason. I don’t hear many people talk about the 2024 Falcons team success, as well as Cousins personal success before his undisclosed shoulder injury. Stefanski will, without a doubt, start Cousins.
The Falcons made some crazy adjustment to Cousins contract that he’ll make $65 million this year if he’s not cut by the league new year or something like that….basically telegraphing he will be cut
It’s nearly decided that Cousins is out, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see a new deal. Things don’t lean that way right now, but nothing about Atlanta’s QB situation has appeared normal for the last two years, either.
As long as whomever the new coach here is, he doesn’t bring him to Pittsburgh
I don’t think that would be the worst thing, depending on the offense that’s installed. The Steelers would need a ton of talent to support an immobile, older, and recently injured QB like Cousins, so they don’t get a repeat of the Rodgers year. Like Rodgers, Cousins could probably produce when he has open receivers and decent protection, but without both of those, it’s a moot point.
Thing is, Pittsburgh needs that stuff anyway, with or without Cousins. Without knowing what the drafted QBs will look like, and with the expectation that next year will be better prospect-wise, a year of Cousins with the picks this year something impact players might not be a bad idea. If the Steelers fail to add those types of skill players, though, it would be a total waste.
The guy is a good coach. Will be interesting to see what he can do with an owner who isn’t insane and a complete roster
The Browns had some really good rosters while Stefanski coached and they never really reached their potential.
Won’t offer an argument about the owner though…
Which was Stefenaski’s “best roster”. The trade for Watson was a disaster that brought down the entire organization. They have not had a QB that gives them a chance since they ran Baker Mayfield out of town.
I dunno. Odell. Watson. Garrett and the Rudolph thing. Always a lot of distractions
10 bucks says Stefanski waits for the Ravens to do a 2nd interview and ultimately is hired by them.
Worst case….I lose $10
This is the spot I originally had for him, I think it’ll be here or Baltimore.
I like the fit, actually. Depending on how the Falcons handle the WB situation, this could be Stefanski’s best offense across the board from all the current vacancies. Great two back running game, two good receivers and a talented TE that obviously could be utilized better, good offensive line, and a defense that showed strides last year. Blank seems like a good owner, and will spend money if he needs to. The only question mark is what Atlanta decides to do at QB, especially since Penix likely will not be healthy by the start of the season (and very likely not the start of the offseason).
Wouldn’t be mad with Malik Willis
I dunno regarding Willis, honestly. Can he consistently get it to that talented pass catching corps on the outside? Perhaps. I like the idea of a distributor in that offense more than a mobile QB, but Willis did show much better growth in a stable system in Green Bay, so who knows.
I don’t know how Penix’s timeline looks, so it’s hard to say how Stefanski will see him in the offense. Stefanski’s shown a willingness to work with whatever QB management gives him, so he might adapt, but you have to wonder whether he’ll want his own guy this time. I could see it both ways.
Signing Willis (or someone else) as a bridge makes sense in that scenario, but given how the Cousins/Penix dynamic ended up playing out, you have to wonder whether Blank would go that route again. Teams generally like to change it up the next year, but the Falcons managed to try it both ways (a highly drafted rookie and a big time vet) the last time around, so it’s interesting to predict which approach will win out this time around. Ultimately, I see Willis as closer to Fields in terms of what type of contract he could receive. Whether the Falcons give that contract remains to be seen, but I see Willis as a better fit with a few of the other coaches than Stefanski, myself.
I guess we’ll see what happens. Maybe Stefanski really likes Penix?
Make it happen. I would like to look at Joe Brady and Kubiak but this could be a solid fit
He’s officially hired i believe
Yup confirmed! I’m on board