While the 2025-26 NFL season is on the doorstep of wrapping up, it has been a busy offseason for teams eliminated from the postseason. With 10 head coaching spots open in this year’s cycle, there is plenty of turnover happening across the league. Dynasty Nerds is helping you get a head start on the offseason, putting together team profiles and previews to help you understand how new head coaches will impact your dynasty football rosters.
After moving on from Raheem Morris this offseason, the Atlanta Falcons were in the market for a new head coach, making one of the first hires of the cycle. Bringing in former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Falcons are handing over the keys to an offensive-minded HC, who is bringing his former offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, with him to be ATL’s new OC. Rees’ scheme incorporates many of the same facets as Stefanski’s, although Rees prefers a power-running attack while Stefanski is a fan of the wide zone scheme.
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Atlanta Falcons
2026 Coach Hires: HC Kevin Stefanski, OC Tommy Rees, DC Jeff Ulbrich (retained)
2025 Coaches Fired: HC Raheem Morris, OC Zac Robinson
It was a season of what-ifs and falling short for the Falcons, as they wrapped up their 2025-26 campaign with an 8-9 record. Having pulled things together just a bit down the stretch, there were rumors that a late-season win streak could have saved Morris’ job, but the front office and ownership decided to clean the slate, firing both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
A season-ending injury to QB Michael Penix Jr. thrust Kirk Cousins back into the spotlight for Atlanta to wrap up the season, as he probably took his final snaps with the team after starting the final seven games. But the Falcons still did have a few bright spots on offense, as Bijan Robinson (2,200+ all-purpose yards) and Kyle Pitts (928 receiving yards) helped your fantasy rosters out in a big way.
Coach Background
Kevin Stefanski’s tenure with Cleveland started on a high note, as he was previously the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. Bringing optimism to a Cleveland franchise is far from an easy thing to do, and Stefanski carried that positivity into his first season as the head coach, guiding the Browns to their first playoff win since 2002 by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 AFC Wild Card round.
Stefanski did reach the postseason one additional time with the Browns, but a 31-point blowout loss to the Houston Texans ended their 11-6 season early. That was the last bit of success Stefanski enjoyed with Cleveland, as his final two seasons produced an 8-26 record, quite the 180 from his previous four.
While flying under the radar a bit in terms of the head coach carousel, Atlanta added a proven commodity in Stefanski to a developed roster as a win-win. Now they don’t have to try to develop a head coach, and they have someone who can develop Michael Penix Jr.
New Offensive Scheme
A heavy dosage of wide zone and play-action passes will dominate the new offensive scheme in Atlanta, as Stefanski’s playbook relies on those two elements almost exclusively. Dating back to his days in Minnesota, Stefanski has married these two elements together in his offensive scheme, which will require Penix to improve in play-action situations, throwing off the platform.
This scheme will likely be led by Bijan Robinson first and foremost, especially with Penix likely not going to be 100 percent ready for Week 1. Don’t be surprised if Robinson opens his 2026 campaign similar to how his 2025 season ended, toting the rock a ton and leading the ATL offense with 25 touches per game.
Passing Game Impact
A benefit for Penix’s long-term success in Stefanski’s scheme is that the former Browns head coach has extensive experience working with pocket passers, having built schemes around players such as Cousins and Baker Mayfield. Attached at the hip to the heavy under-center usage is the play-action pass, a staple of Stefanski’s scheme and something that Penix will run a ton of in 2026.
This will force Penix out of his comfort zone, as he will need to improve his throwing accuracy off platform and on the run. To give a look at how Penix fared in 2025 on play action, here’s a comparison between Penix (nine games) and CLE’s Shedeur Sanders (eight), according to Fantasy Points.
| Player | Dropbacks | Completion % | Passing Yards | Yards per Game | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Penix Jr. | 62 | 63.2% | 487 | 54.1 | 94.7 |
| Shedeur Sanders | 68 | 50.8% | 373 | 46.6 | 41.2 |
The efficiency for Penix on PA plays should jump out, as it shows that the southpaw already had some success running these plays under former OC Zac Robinson. While he will need to learn a whole new scheme, this part should be a bit easier to pick up, something that should help Penix acclimate.
For pass catchers, working off the play-action scheme should benefit Kyle Pitts the most (if he re-signs), with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.‘s impressive usage being his potential ceiling. While play-action passes will open up things down the field more for Drake London and Darnell Mooney, Pitts will truly be the biggest beneficiary.
- Fannin ran the second-most routes (48) of all CLE pass catchers on play-action passes when the QB lined up under center, leading the team with 11 targets.
- 3 of Fannin’s 6 touchdowns in 2025 came on PA passes from under center, averaging over 11.5 yards per reception
Running Game Impact
A wide zone run scheme will do wonders for Bijan Robinson. The middle-of-the-road offensive line in Atlanta will need to become a bit more agile to adopt Stefanski’s scheme. Don’t be surprised if Atlanta adds an offensive lineman or two in the draft that can get out on the edge and extend the line of scrimmage on these runs.
Bijan Robinson will excel in cut-back lanes, as his already-high ceiling should be able to find a new level in 2026. While the running game wasn’t all that successful these past few seasons in Cleveland, injuries and depth chart issues are mostly to blame.
The Browns ran the ball 71 percent of under-center snaps in 2025, equating to 240 carries. While they were near the middle of the league in this stat last season, it shows that Stefanski will likely increase this team’s run-focused approach while under center, something that should elevate ATL into the top 10.
On the surface, Stefanski is not an inspiring hire for the Falcons, but when you dive into the weeds of his scheme, you can see why Matt Ryan made this move. A stable hire that was in the second tier behind John Harbaugh, Stefanski should be able to patch up a few holes on the ATL offense, while letting Jeff Ulbrich continue to mold the up-and-coming defense.
Overall, this hire should be seen as a solid B with plenty to prove, but plenty to be excited about as well.
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🧠 FAQ: Falcons Coaching Change and Fantasy Football Impact
What does Kevin Stefanski’s offense mean for the Atlanta Falcons in 2026?
A: A heavy dosage of wide zone and play-action passes will dominate the new offensive scheme in Atlanta, as Stefanski’s playbook relies on those two elements almost exclusively.
How will Michael Penix Jr. fit in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme?
A: The play-action pass is a staple of Stefanski’s scheme and something that Penix will run a ton of in 2026, which will require him to improve his throwing accuracy off platform and on the run.
Will Bijan Robinson benefit from a wide zone running scheme?
A: A wide zone scheme will do wonders for Bijan Robinson, as he should excel in cut-back lanes and potentially find a new level in 2026.
Which Falcons pass catchers gain the most from play-action usage?
A: Working off the play-action scheme should benefit Kyle Pitts the most (if he re-signs), while play-action should also open up things down the field more for Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
What role could Tommy Rees play in shaping Atlanta’s offense?
A: Rees’ scheme incorporates many of the same facets as Stefanski’s, although Rees prefers a power-running attack while Stefanski is a fan of a wide zone scheme.
