Atlanta Falcons Hire Kevin Stefanski Amid Criticism from Skip Bayless.

The Atlanta Falcons have swiftly moved to hire former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who guided quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 season. Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, was reportedly a finalist for the Falcons’ head coaching position alongside former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who ultimately took the job with the New York Giants. In announcing the hire, Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan praised Stefanski as a “lead-by-example leader” with a clear vision focused on fundamentals, toughness, and collaboration across the organization. Despite the team’s excitement, sports commentator Skip Bayless criticized the hire on X, stating that Stefanski is “overrated” and fails to connect with players, warning that Atlanta’s talent could go to waste under his leadership. Brett Jewkes, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Blank Family of Businesses, publicly disagreed, describing Stefanski as the opposite of Bayless’ characterization. Pro Football Talk amplified the debate, sharing Bayless’ comments with a sarcastic note about potential Super Bowl success in Atlanta. Stefanski’s tenure in Cleveland was historically notable, achieving success not seen since Marty Schottenheimer’s Browns teams of the 1980s. He led the Browns to 11-win seasons in 2020 and 2023 and earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in both seasons. Despite roster instability, particularly at quarterback, Stefanski’s teams performed well; in 2023, the Browns ranked first in total defense and maintained a top-15 position in points allowed and points scored, despite starting five different quarterbacks over the season.

A persistent challenge for Stefanski has been the lack of a consistent franchise quarterback. The Browns’ acquisition of Deshaun Watson—widely regarded as one of the worst trades in NFL history—limited their ability to develop other signal-callers. Cleveland subsequently drafted three quarterbacks in 2025, including Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who were selected later than Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ 2022 first-round pick. The Falcons have struggled in recent years, failing to post a winning record or reach the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. By hiring Stefanski, the franchise brings in a coach with a track record of success under challenging circumstances, hoping he can reverse their fortunes.