Tommy Rees is on the move again, and this time, he's headed south to Atlanta-reuniting with Kevin Stefanski as the Falcons’ new offensive coordinator.
Rees, who spent the 2025 season as Cleveland’s OC under Stefanski, will hold the same title in Atlanta as part of Stefanski’s newly assembled staff. The two have built a working relationship over the past two seasons, and now they’re tasked with reviving a Falcons offense that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long.
Let’s rewind a bit. Rees made the jump to the NFL after a one-year stint as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023, where he helped guide the Crimson Tide to an SEC title and a College Football Playoff appearance. That squad averaged 34.0 points and 393.1 yards per game-solid production in a tough conference-and did it while navigating the pressure cooker that is Tuscaloosa.
After Nick Saban’s retirement, Rees joined Stefanski’s staff in Cleveland, initially coaching tight ends in 2024. But by 2025, he was elevated to offensive coordinator-and not just in title. Stefanski handled play-calling duties early in the season, but with the Browns stumbling to a 2-6 start and averaging just 15.8 points and 263.5 yards per game, he handed the reins over to Rees.
The results? Modest improvement.
Cleveland went 3-6 the rest of the way, with the offense bumping up slightly to 17.0 points and 260.9 yards per game. Not exactly a breakout, but considering the Browns were juggling quarterbacks like a circus act-starting three different QBs over the course of the season-it’s hard to lay the blame squarely on Rees.
Veteran Joe Flacco opened the year under center for the first four games. Then came rookie Dillon Gabriel for six starts, followed by another rookie, Shedeur Sanders, who closed out the final seven. With that kind of instability at quarterback, consistency on offense was always going to be a challenge.
Now, Rees steps into a Falcons situation that’s calling out for offensive identity. Atlanta averaged 20.9 points and 333.0 yards per game in 2025-numbers that land somewhere in the middle of the pack, but not nearly enough to push the team into playoff contention. That lack of offensive spark played a role in the Falcons parting ways with Raheem Morris on Jan. 4 after back-to-back 8-9 seasons.
Stefanski was officially hired as Atlanta’s new head coach on Saturday, and just days later, Rees was tapped to lead the offense. The Falcons haven’t yet revealed who’ll be calling plays in 2026-whether Stefanski keeps the headset or hands it off to Rees like he did in Cleveland-but the decision will be a key storyline heading into the season.
What’s clear is that Stefanski trusts Rees. He saw enough in Cleveland to bring him along for the next chapter in Atlanta. And for Rees, this is another opportunity to shape an NFL offense-this time with a fresh start, a new roster, and a chance to show what he can do with a little more stability under center.
The Falcons have some pieces to work with, but they need a clear offensive vision. Stefanski and Rees are betting they can provide it.