Kevin Stefanski might just be the answer the Falcons have been searching for. After years of inconsistency on the sideline and under center, Atlanta is betting on a head coach who’s already proven he can win amid chaos. Stefanski’s time in Cleveland wasn’t perfect, but it showcased one critical trait: he can steady the ship, even when the quarterback carousel is spinning out of control.
That’s especially relevant in Atlanta, where the roster has talent, but the quarterback position remains a question mark. Enter Michael Penix Jr., a promising young passer with a cannon for an arm and a history of battling through adversity.
If there’s a coach equipped to help him find his footing, it’s Stefanski - a guy who led the Browns to the playoffs while starting 13 different quarterbacks over six seasons. That’s not a typo.
Thirteen.
Of course, not everyone’s sold on Stefanski. Baker Mayfield, who played under him in Cleveland, recently voiced his frustrations on social media, calling out Stefanski for not reaching out after the Browns traded him. Mayfield still seems to carry a chip on his shoulder - not just over the trade, but over what he perceives as a lack of respect from his former coach.
But while Mayfield’s perspective is understandable, it’s worth noting that former Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas came to Stefanski’s defense. Thomas, who’s never been shy about calling it like he sees it, backed the head coach and his leadership style. And while public spats are never ideal, they don’t necessarily reflect how Stefanski will handle his new quarterback room in Atlanta.
Still, the situation does raise a fair question: if Stefanski and Mayfield couldn’t stay on the same page, what does that mean for his relationship with Penix?
Let’s zoom out. The Browns moved on from Mayfield after a rough 2021 season - one where he played through a torn labrum - and swung big for Deshaun Watson.
That decision, controversial as it was, signaled that Cleveland didn’t see Mayfield as the long-term answer. Whether Stefanski could’ve handled the personal side of that transition better is up for debate, but the NFL is a results-driven league.
And Stefanski’s results, given the instability he dealt with, speak volumes.
Now, in Atlanta, the hope is that Stefanski won’t have to juggle as much chaos. But that doesn’t mean the road is smooth.
Penix is coming off another ACL tear, which will sideline him for most of the offseason and could bleed into the start of next year. He’s only made 12 career starts, and while the flashes have been impressive, durability remains the biggest question mark.
The good news? Stefanski’s offense might be exactly what Penix needs.
The two-time Coach of the Year is known for a play-action heavy scheme - the kind that simplifies reads, slows down the pass rush, and plays to a quarterback’s strengths. And Penix has already shown he can thrive in that environment.
In 2025, he ranked eighth in the NFL in play-action yards per attempt, despite Atlanta running play-action less than almost any team in the league.
That’s a mismatch that Stefanski can fix. If he leans into what Penix does well - and history suggests he will - the Falcons could finally have a system that brings out the best in their young quarterback.
The key will be patience. Penix needs time to get healthy, get comfortable, and get reps.
Stefanski, for all the noise around the Baker breakup, has shown he can build a quarterback-friendly offense.
So yes, there are some lingering concerns from the Cleveland days. But that was nearly five years ago.
Stefanski has grown, the situation is different, and Penix isn’t Mayfield. The Falcons are betting that this pairing can work - and if it does, it could be the beginning of something special in Atlanta.
For now, Stefanski deserves the benefit of the doubt. He’s earned it.