Kevin

Stefanski

Stefanski ceded play-calling power to Rees down the stretch in Cleveland last year and they turned into a heavily screen-focused team with (holding back laugh) Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanders under center. We wouldn’t necessarily expect the same things next year in Atlanta since we don’t know who the quarterback will be just yet, but Rees did get a decent amount of offense out of what was a fairly weak core on paper last year.

Stefanski gets a five-year contract from the Falcons. This has seemed to be a fait accompli since John Harbaugh agreed to a deal with the Giants. Stefanski was reportedly the favorite in Atlanta on Friday per SNY’s Connor Hughes, and after Stefanski got the second interview docket finalized, the Falcons just decided to go ahead and make that irrelevant. Atlanta gets the best available offensive mind on the market, and Bijan Robinson should only continue to flourish under Stefanski’s guidance. His biggest task will be, as it was in Cleveland, getting the most out of what looks to be a substandard quarterback room. Michael Penix (knee) is under contract, but perhaps not a certainty to be ready for the season. The Falcons could cut Kirk Cousins to free up salary space, but don’t necessarily have to if Stefanski would turn to him as a starter. Atlanta’s quarterback decision will set up some offseason dominoes. But for now, they have to be thrilled to land a two-time AP Coach of the Year — even if he is coming off two rough seasons in Cleveland.

This comes on the heels of a report from SNY’s Connor Hughes on Friday that Stefanski is the favorite for the Falcons job. Schefter passes along that the Falcons are Stefanski’s next interview, getting him in the building again before the Titans can do the same. Stefanski has dealt with less-than-stellar quarterback situations in the past and the Falcons roster is strong in other areas, potentially making him a strong fit under new President of Football Matt Ryan.

Over the last few hours, multiple reports have indicated that the two sides are still expected to come to an agreement. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said it “seems like something was lost in translation” during early negotiations, specifically regarding the “reporting structure” and decision-making powers. He adds that the Titans are still “interested and waiting” to find out what happens, while noting that former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski could be “the one” for the Giants if things fall through with Harbaugh.

Stefanski has met with the Falcons, Ravens, Dolphins, Giants, and Titans so far. Obviously it doesn’t look likely he’ll be getting the Giants gig. Stefanski would seem like a strong fit with “president of football” Matt Ryan as he tries to re-establish some Shanaclan roots in the Atlanta offense. And Stefanski is used to quarterback quagmires after the last few years, so that part of the job might give him less pause than it would for some others.

Stefanski said he believes the Titans, Falcons, and Ravens “are all potential landing spots” for the two-time coach of the year. Stefanski has been highly sought after since being fired by the Browns following a 5-12 season marred by problems at quarterback. Stefanski lost out to John Harbaugh for the Giants’ head coaching job, but with eight more openings, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to land elsewhere if he wants to continue his career elsewhere as a head coach.

Stefanski, the two-time head coach of the year during his tenure with the Browns, could have his choice of open head coaching gigs. He’s interviewed with the Falcons, Giants, Ravens, and Titans, and now is in talks with a Dolphins team that recently fired Mike McDaniel. Stefanski during his time with Cleveland was a creative offensive play designer and play caller who was hamstrung by ownership with a Deshaun Watson contract that ranks among the worst in the history of pro sports. His history of quarterback development will be appealing to any team looking to get the most out of their young QBs.

Connected to at least half the openings out there, Stefanski has now completed interviews with at least the Falcons and Ravens. With seven openings besides his former job, Stefanski seems all but certain to land another job, but he could be in the awkward position where he ends up multiple teams’ second choice after someone like John Harbaugh.

Varying explanations have been offered as to why the Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh. Pairing QB Lamar Jackson with a creative, offensively-minded head coach, who is widely viewed as a quarterback guru, could make for a very fun match. Stefanski served as the Browns’ head coach from 2020-2025 after a successful 2019 season serving as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator.

The Stefanski-Giants connection is one of the most poorly-kept secrets of the last two months of the regular season. It is altogether unsurprising that a coach with his resume would fill up a dance card, even if it is a little surprising at how quickly it appears to have happened. With a relative dearth of offensive-minded head coach candidates making the rounds this year, Stefanski will likely be one of the belles of the ball this silly season.