The Atlanta Falcons head into their matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carrying real momentum, and Jessie Bates III is making it clear why. After last week’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta is sitting in position to get back to .500 and move into the lead in the NFC South, with head coach Kevin Stefanski earning praise for the way he’s guiding the group.
Bates pointed to Stefanski’s steady style as a big reason the Falcons have found their footing. “He definitely has a calming presence,” Bates said on the Pat McAfee Show.
“Usually, with head coaches nowadays, they're offensive guys, and they're calling plays; they're not really hands-on with the defense. But Coach Stefanski was a safety as well, if no one knew that, and he has a lot of love for that defensive side as well.
“It's good to see him bounce around, and he's been Coach of the Year before, so he knows what it looks like. He knows what it takes to be successful in this league, and it's been good having him have a clear identity for our team. There's no better leader.”
Bates also gave a strong endorsement to Michael Penix Jr., who has settled into the role with confidence and a looseness that clearly resonates in the locker room. “He's a dude.
He's just got that poise, that calm presence, and he's not always serious,” Bates said. It's a little bit of authenticity, and he can dance a little bit.
“There’s no better leader than Coach Stefanski.”
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 30, 2026
Falcons star Jessie Bates III has high praise for his head coach 🙌
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/uXerI4R4g1
He's a Florida boy. He's himself and excited to have him as a leader on our team.”
Penix has accounted for nine touchdown passes and one interception this season, helping the offense move past the rough start from the first two games of the year.
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