Matt Ryan sitting on a stage in front atlanta falcons‘ meeting room last week at the organization’s facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. was a former franchise quarterback presented at a press conference As the team’s new football president.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank reiterated that Ryan would lead interviews for the team’s head coach and general manager positions. Ryan was asked if he would prefer Atlanta hired a coach specializing in offense. Ryan was a quarterback, after all, and Michael Penix Jr..., the Falcons’ young QB needs more development.
Ryan said it doesn’t matter to him whether a coach specializes in offense or defense, as long as he is a steady leader with excellent character.
Ryan and the Falcons believe they have that guy in the east cleveland browns Head coach Kevin Stefanski, two-time NFL Coach of the Year (2020 and 2023). Stefanski has a reputation as a bright offensive mind, a key attribute as the Falcons prioritize Penix’s development.
How high up the Falcons board was Stefanski? Could he be the right person to take Penix to the next level and lead the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons? And what will be made of Stefanski’s 45-56 record with the Browns?
Falcons reporter Mark Raimondi, Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler and NFL analyst Ben Solak have detailed the hire from different perspectives.
Was Stefanski always the Falcons’ top pick?
Fowler: He was a key option throughout. But Atlanta was interested in John Harbaugh, and the team was in Harbaugh’s top three. I believe the Falcons are third on Harbaugh’s wish list New York Giants and this tennessee titans.
Luckily for the Falcons, they didn’t have to prioritize Harbaugh or Stefanski. Once the Giants and Harbaugh joined forces in midweek, the path was clear to pursue Stefanski, whose leadership, track record of success running an offense and Philadelphia-area roots (a nod to Ryan) made the fit seamless. Seattle offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak also impressed Atlanta in all respects.
But by Friday afternoon, word began to spread in coaching circles that Stefanski was possibly headed to Atlanta.
The Falcons moved much faster in this coaching cycle than last time; Did they learn any lessons?
Raimondi: The search in 2024 was a little different, including Atlanta’s polarizing interest in Bill Belichick. But the Falcons knew this year there were other interesting openings, many of which hinged on Stefanski.
After Atlanta hired Ryan and Harbaugh goes to the GiantsThe Falcons increased the intensity. They put aside their general manager search and focused on the search for a new head coach. Atlanta had the privilege of doing this because they have the only GM opening in the league. Obviously, this was not the case with the head coaching vacancy.
Was Ryan the primary voice in this decision?
Raimondi: After Ryan was hired he was put in charge of leading the head coach and general manager searches. Hiring Ryan was a top priority for the Falcons this offseason and laid the foundation for the future of the franchise. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Ryan will set the Falcons’ vision moving forward. The previous regime lacked a clear vision, according to the firm Sportsology, which Blank brought in several months ago to audit the football portion of the organization.
The Falcons are allies. Blank and his son, Falcons executive Josh, were apparently involved in the decision-making, as were chairman and CEO Greg Beadles and Sportsology. But Blank has entrusted Ryan with leading the Falcons out of their nearly decade-long funk.
What has Stefanski done to inspire optimism about the Penix’s development?
Oyefusi: The last few seasons were difficult for Stefanski, as the Browns cycled through quarterbacks. But there was a time when Stefanski helped develop Baker Mayfield As a young quarterback.
In Mayfield’s first season with Stefanski, he threw 26 touchdowns to only eight interceptions with a 95.9 passer rating, the second-best single-season mark of his career.
Similar to Stefanski’s early years in Cleveland, his plan in Atlanta will likely start with the running game. bijan robinsonAnd combine it with play-action pass concepts that make Penix easier to read.
Should we expect Stefanski to call plays after giving up playcalling duties in the middle of each season the past two years?
Raimondi: to be determined. Stefanski was already working to build a coaching staff as part of his pitch to the Falcons, and his offensive coordinator selection will go a long way in determining how that might pan out.
On the other side of the ball, Stefanski’s hiring could leave the door open for Jeff Ulbricht to return as defensive coordinator. Blank said he would ultimately recommend Ulbricht for the new head coach. Ulbricht helped turn around a poor defense in 2024.
It wasn’t just him. Defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg and defensive line coach Nate Ollie, both of whom Ulbricht brought in for 2025, are highly regarded. The Falcons’ defense, which has struggled to get to the quarterback on multiple coaching staffs for more than a decade, was second in the league in sacks (57) and has a young, promising core.
How would you rate this appointment?
Solak: B+
Stefanski was generally a strong coach in Cleveland, although his record (45–56) belied that performance. The tools in the toolbox were never that good with the Browns, and the Falcons are betting that Stefanski’s reputation as a strong offensive mind will bear more fruit in Atlanta, where drake londonRobinson and (probable) Kyle Pitts Sr.. Represent the best offensive group coached by Stefanski.
Hiring head coaches immediately after moving elsewhere can be a risky choice — sometimes, those coaches just burn out — but I’d bet Stefanski has a lot to prove given the way things turned out in Cleveland.
