Kevin Stefanski might be heading back to Cleveland in 2026 - not as a returning hero, but as a visiting head coach with something to prove.
After parting ways with the Browns on Black Monday, Stefanski has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in this year’s NFL coaching carousel. He’s been linked to several openings, including the Titans, Dolphins, Ravens, and Falcons.
And while the idea of an AFC North swap - Stefanski to Baltimore, John Harbaugh to New York - added a bit of drama early on, that scenario appears off the table. Harbaugh is reportedly finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Giants.
That leaves Stefanski’s most likely destination looking like Atlanta, where he’s reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to replace Raheem Morris. And if that happens, Browns fans may not have to wait long to see him again - the Falcons are set to visit Cleveland during the 2026 regular season.
Now, Browns fans might be tempted to shrug this off. Stefanski landing in the NFC?
No big deal, right? But let’s be real - the Falcons job might be the best opening in this year’s cycle.
If Stefanski ends up in Atlanta, he could be walking into a situation that’s even more favorable than the one he inherited in Cleveland back in 2020.
Remember, Stefanski made an immediate impact when he arrived in Northeast Ohio. He took over a team with a strong foundation - especially on the ground with Nick Chubb - and turned it into a playoff winner in Year 1. If he heads to Atlanta, he could be looking at an even more dynamic backfield centerpiece in Bijan Robinson, who’s already drawing comparisons to some of the league’s elite.
And it’s not just Bijan. The Falcons’ offensive core is stacked with young, high-upside talent.
Michael Penix Jr. is still raw, but the tools are there. Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Chris Lindstrom, and Ryan Neuzil form a solid nucleus, and there's real potential for growth.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons defense finished 15th in total EPA, per SumerSports, and boasts one of the top safety tandems in the league in Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts. This isn’t a rebuild - it’s a team that’s a few right moves away from being a serious contender.
Compare that to the situation Stefanski left behind in Cleveland, and the contrast is stark. The Browns are facing major questions on offense, starting with the quarterback position.
Shedeur Sanders has talent, but he’s still an unknown at the NFL level. There’s some promise in the supporting cast - Harold Fannin Jr., Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Isaiah Bond - but the offensive line is a mess, with holes at left tackle, guard, and center.
And while the defense still features Myles Garrett and plenty of talent, it hasn’t translated to consistent wins. The Browns have just eight victories in their last 34 games.
Then there’s the financial picture. Atlanta is sitting in a healthy spot, with $22.5 million in projected cap space and the flexibility that comes with a quarterback on a rookie deal.
Cleveland, on the other hand, is buried under Deshaun Watson’s contract and will need to restructure it for the third straight year just to get under the cap. That’s not exactly an ideal situation for a new head coach to walk into.
So while Browns fans might take a victory lap on social media - “Good luck, Atlanta!” - it’s worth pumping the brakes. Stefanski has already shown he can win when the pieces are in place. If he lands in Atlanta and gets that team rolling, especially with a return trip to Cleveland on the schedule, the Browns faithful might not be the ones laughing.
Because if Stefanski walks off the field at Huntington Bank Stadium in 2026 with a win, it won’t just be a personal vindication - it’ll be another chapter in the ongoing saga of a Browns franchise still searching for stability, while their former coach thrives somewhere else.