Kevin Stefanski is walking into a familiar situation in Atlanta - a team searching for answers at quarterback. After six seasons navigating the ever-shifting QB carousel in Cleveland, Stefanski now takes over a Falcons roster that includes a talented, but injury-riddled, young signal-caller in Michael Penix Jr. And while the Falcons believe Penix has the tools to become their long-term answer under center, there’s one major question he still has to answer: Can he stay healthy?
Penix has made just 12 starts and is coming off his third ACL tear since high school - a sobering injury history for any quarterback, let alone one expected to lead a franchise. With his availability for Week 1 in doubt, Atlanta has no choice but to build a contingency plan into its offseason blueprint.
And with Kirk Cousins likely on his way out, the Falcons' quarterback room is in transition. That’s led to plenty of speculation - free agents, draft prospects, and yes, even trade targets - being linked to Atlanta.
One name that’s popped up? Dillon Gabriel, the 2025 third-round pick out of Oregon who spent last season with the Browns.
The connection is obvious on the surface: Stefanski coached Gabriel in Cleveland, and the Falcons now need depth behind Penix. But let’s pump the brakes. There’s a big difference between familiarity and fit, and Gabriel to Atlanta doesn’t check the right boxes.
Gabriel stepped in for an injured Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland and went 1-5 as a starter. That stretch didn’t exactly scream "future starter."
He knows Stefanski’s system, sure, but that’s about where the intrigue ends. He’s not pushing Penix for the job, and he’s not the kind of veteran presence you'd want mentoring a young QB.
If anything, he’s a depth piece - and one that would still cost draft capital to acquire.
And that’s the key point here. The Falcons need insurance at quarterback, but they’re not in a position to throw away picks for a player who doesn’t move the needle. If Penix’s rehab lingers into the season, Atlanta will need someone who can step in and stabilize the offense - think more along the lines of a Joe Flacco or Trey Lance, players who bring either experience or upside without compromising the team’s long-term plans.
Trading for Gabriel doesn’t align with that strategy. He might only cost a late-round pick, but when you’ve already spent a Day 2 selection on him - as the Browns did - giving up so soon feels like a misstep. And from Atlanta’s perspective, it’s hard to justify sending even a late-rounder for a QB who hasn't shown he's starter material.
This is where Stefanski’s track record comes into play. He’s known for getting the most out of his quarterbacks, and with Matt Ryan now in the building as a senior assistant, the Falcons have a strong infrastructure in place to develop Penix - or whoever ends up taking snaps early in the season. That’s a solid foundation, and one that doesn’t require reaching for a familiar face just for the sake of comfort.
Bottom line: The Falcons are building toward something with Penix. They’ll need to be smart about how they support him - both in terms of injury insurance and overall development.
But a trade for Dillon Gabriel? That’s not the move.