While the recent past is frightening, there is also good reason for optimism in Atlanta, especially now with a coach of Stefanski’s caliber.
It will be a completely different atmosphere after a complete turnover, of course, but the Falcons fought hard to finish the 2025 season on a four-game winning streak, including a comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a shocking victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Falcons also boast a solid core of difference-makers on both sides of the ball. Running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London represent the top offensive talent. If the Falcons can keep tight end Kyle Pitts, he’ll re-establish himself as a threat. Atlanta’s defense can certainly rely on secondary pieces like AJ Terrell and Xavier Watts and front-seven contributors like James Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker and Brandon Dorlus.
The biggest problem for Stefanski to deal with is, like many teams, the quarterback.
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a partially torn ACL and Kirk Cousins agreed to re-sign his contract, meaning he will likely venture into free agency. It’s a conundrum Stefanski inherited after the previous Falcons management signed Cousins to a massive free agent contract and drafted Penix at No. 8 in the 2024 draft just months apart, only to fumble both now.
Penix showed flashes and could obviously still develop into Atlanta’s desired signal-caller, but he was also inconsistent enough that a new coach would be right to weigh his options. Fortunately, Stefanski has proven adept at quarterback whispering, even if he was never able to find the perfect signal caller to pair with in Cleveland.
Stefanski began his season with Baker Mayfield under center before the club went all-in on Deshaun Watson for the 2022 season, though he was suspended for the first 11 games of that campaign. Injuries followed him from then on, leading Stefanski to work with a long line of quarterbacks, including Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston and, in 2025, after another fling with Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. He won his second COTY award for making the playoffs in a 2023 season in which Cleveland started five different QBs.
He’d obviously like to find one that sticks, but he’s also shown he’s comfortable and capable giving the QB carousel a run.
Figuring out for sure if Penix is the guy or if it should be someone else will be one of Stefanski’s top priorities, which will hopefully prove to be an easier task in Atlanta than it was in Cleveland.
Regardless, the Falcons have their man, plus newfound optimism under an offensive-minded coach in yet another fresh start.