Kevin Stefanski appears to be on the verge of landing one of the more intriguing head coaching jobs on the market - the Atlanta Falcons - as John Harbaugh reportedly closes in on a deal to become the next head coach of the New York Giants.
Both coaches are navigating the familiar turbulence of the NFL’s annual coaching carousel after being let go at season’s end. Stefanski was dismissed by the Cleveland Browns, while Harbaugh was shown the door by the Baltimore Ravens. Neither team made the playoffs in 2025, and both decided it was time for a change.
They weren’t alone. The Falcons were one of seven teams to part ways with their head coach after Week 18, moving on from Raheem Morris.
With a fresh slate to work with, Atlanta’s newly appointed team president - and former franchise quarterback - Matt Ryan has been leading the search for the next man in charge. Both Stefanski and Harbaugh were interviewed by the Falcons, as well as by Giants general manager Joe Schoen.
Now, according to NFL insider Connor Hughes, Stefanski is emerging as the favorite to take over in Atlanta, while Harbaugh appears headed to the Big Apple.
If Stefanski does land the job, he’ll step into a situation that’s equal parts challenging and full of potential. The Falcons finished 8-9, missing the playoffs for the eighth straight season. But they ended the year on a high note, winning four straight, including a tight 19-17 victory over the rival Saints in Week 18 - Morris’ final game on the sideline.
That late-season surge left them in a three-way tie atop the NFC South with Carolina and Tampa Bay. The division crown ultimately went to the Panthers thanks to a stronger record in division play, but the Falcons showed signs of life down the stretch - a foundation Stefanski could build on.
Perhaps the most intriguing piece Stefanski would inherit is under center. Atlanta made a bold move in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, just weeks after signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency.
Penix showed enough to take over the starting role from Cousins before suffering a season-ending injury. That injury derailed what could’ve been a breakout campaign for the rookie, but it also added layers of complexity to the Falcons’ quarterback situation.
Cousins, now on the bench and carrying a hefty contract, still has two years left with roughly $115 million in base salary, bonuses, and incentives remaining - though only $67.5 million of that is guaranteed. Atlanta recently restructured his deal, giving the front office the flexibility to release him in early March and spread the remaining guaranteed money over the 2026 and 2027 seasons. That move would create some much-needed salary cap relief and potentially clear the way for Penix to take the reins permanently.
As for Stefanski, his tenure in Cleveland was a rollercoaster. After six seasons, he finished with a 45-56 record and just two winning campaigns.
The Browns stumbled to a 5-12 finish in 2025, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. That inconsistency ultimately cost him his job.
But Stefanski still brings experience, a steady offensive mind, and a history of working with quarterbacks - all of which could serve him well in Atlanta, where the offense is young, talented, and still trying to find its identity.
If the Falcons do hand him the keys, Stefanski will be tasked with developing Penix, navigating the Cousins contract, and ending a playoff drought that’s stretched nearly a decade. It’s a tall order - but it’s also the kind of opportunity that can redefine a coaching career.