Once a rising coach within the Minnesota Vikings organization, Kevin Stefanski left in the 2020 offseason to become the head […]
Once a rising coach within the Minnesota Vikings organization, Kevin Stefanski left in the 2020 offseason to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He made it through six seasons with the tumultuous franchise until getting fired recently. His next chapter could take place in Atlanta.
Last weekend, the Falcons announced that they had completed an interview with Stefanski for their head coaching opening. Atlanta’s coach Raheem Morris had to pack his bags after only two seasons with the club. As Morris worked with the Los Angeles Rams at the same time as Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, he could be an option in the Twin Cities should Brian Flores leave.
Now, Stefanski is widely viewed as the favorite in Atlanta. On Friday, Giants reporter Connor Hughes noted on social media, “The #Giants & John Harbaugh are expected to finalize the deal for him to become their head coach today, per sources. They’re pretty close to getting it done, I’m told. I do not expect anything to change that. With that, hearing Kevin Stefanski is favorite for #Falcons job. That was talk before: Whoever didn’t land Harbaugh would get Stefanski.”
With John Harbaugh in the building of the New York Giants to finalize a deal, Stefanski rises to the top of the list for Falcons owner Arthur Blank.
Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is a leading figure in the head coaching search. He was recently appointed as the new president of football and said about his process, “You are looking for people that connect with players, understand how to push players, get the best out of players, but also are there for them in other ways to support. I think you’re looking for people who can build great staffs. You don’t do it by yourself as a head coach. You do it with the people that are around you as well. And football, more so than any other sport, requires a team.”
Stefanski has led the Browns through six seasons, going 45-56, with a 1-2 record in the postseason. In his first year, he led the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and won the first playoff game since 1994. Stefanski has been a two-time Coach of the Year and brought some stability to the organization. It’s fair to say that the trade for Deshaun Watson derailed the project.
The coach spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He joined as the assistant to the head coach in 2008, was promoted to assistant QB coach in 2009, TE coach in 2014, RB coach in 2016, QB coach in 2017, interim offensive coordinator in 2018, and offensive coordinator in 2019.
Stefanski is considered a sharp offensive coach. Early in his tenure in Cleveland, he got good football out of Baker Mayfield, long before his reemergence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best offenses, whether in Minnesota or Cleveland, featured a heavy dose of the ground game. Nick Chubb and Dalvin Cook experienced excellent production under him.
If he indeed ends up as Atlanta’s skipper, he’d have the pleasure of working with Bijan Robinson, who is undoubtedly one of the most gifted backs in the business. Kyle Pitts and Drake London are also in the mix.
At quarterback, he’d reunite with Kirk Cousins, whom he coached on the Vikings, “including a 2019 Pro Bowl season and a playoff victory. However, the Falcons are still expected to release Cousins. Michael Penix Jr., a top ten pick in 2024, is currently recovering from ACL surgery.
The 43-year-old might not be on the market for long.
