Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach.

18 January 2026

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.