Kevin Stefanski is officially at the helm in Atlanta, and in his first press conference as head coach of the Falcons, he made it clear: it’s a fresh start across the board - especially at quarterback.
Stefanski didn’t waste time addressing the elephant in the room: the team’s quarterback situation. He spoke with energy about Michael Penix Jr., the rookie QB who’s currently working his way back from a November knee surgery. Stefanski said he’d already seen Penix in the training room, attacking his rehab with purpose - a good early sign from a young player trying to stake his claim in the NFL.
Of course, Stefanski also has history with Kirk Cousins, dating back to their shared time in Minnesota. But when asked about where things stand on the depth chart, Stefanski kept it neutral.
No declarations, no depth chart talk - just a clear message that his focus is on getting the most out of whoever lines up under center. It’s a competition, and nothing’s set in stone.
As for Penix, the 2023 Heisman finalist isn’t shying away from the grind. He’s coming off his fifth major surgery, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he talks.
“I’ve been doing great,” Penix told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Each and every day, just trying to get better.
I feel like my confidence has been building.”
That confidence, he says, comes from experience. He’s been through the recovery process before - multiple times - and he’s come out stronger each time.
“I’ve always came back better,” he said. “So, I don’t think anything less will happen.”
Doctors have outlined a nine- to 12-month recovery window, which would put Penix’s availability for Week 1 in question. But the quarterback isn’t ruling it out.
“My expectation is to get healthy as soon as possible,” he said. “Obviously, it’s up to the doctor.
He has the last word. I know that whenever he does give me that word, I’ll be 100% confident in everything that I can do.”
The goal is simple: be ready for the start of the season. Whether or not that happens will depend on how the next few months unfold, but Penix is locked in on doing everything in his control to hit that target.
Meanwhile, Stefanski is already putting his stamp on the offensive side of the ball. He confirmed that Tommy Rees will take over playcalling duties - a significant shift for a team that leaned heavily on the pistol formation under the previous regime. Rees, who followed Stefanski from Cleveland, steps into the offensive coordinator role with a clear mandate: unlock the full potential of Atlanta’s skill position talent.
Handing over playcalling is a big move for Stefanski, who’s long been known for his offensive mind. But it also signals trust - in Rees, in the system they’re building, and in the players they’re counting on to execute it.
So as the Falcons turn the page to a new era, the message from Stefanski is clear: competition is open, expectations are high, and the work has already begun. Whether it’s Cousins, Penix, or someone else taking snaps in Week 1, the foundation is being laid for what Stefanski hopes is a high-functioning, dynamic offense - and a team ready to take the next step.