The Atlanta Falcons have named Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, and he will keep Jeff Ulbrich on as defensive coordinator. The team made this move public on Monday, aiming to hold onto the progress made by the defense last season. Ulbrich, who stepped into the role recently, led a group that improved in key areas despite some ups and downs.
Background
Jeff Ulbrich joined the Falcons as defensive coordinator before the 2025 season. He came over from a role with the New York Jets, where he worked under Robert Saleh. In October 2024, after Saleh left the Jets, Ulbrich served as interim head coach there for a time. That experience gave him a broad view of running a defense and more.
The Falcons had a defense full of potential but mixed results in 2025. They ranked 19th in the league for points allowed and 15th for yards given up. Still, the unit stood out in the pass rush. After struggling with just 31 sacks the year before Ulbrich arrived—ranking 31st—they jumped to 57 sacks in 2025, good for second in the NFL. This change came from better schemes and players stepping up.
Young talent drove much of that success. First-round rookie James Pearce Jr. led with 10.5 sacks. Jalon Walker, another first-round pick from 2025, added 5.5 sacks. Brandon Dorlus contributed 8.5. All three will be 25 or younger heading into next season. The secondary has veterans like cornerback A.J. Terrell and safety Jessie Bates, plus young prospect Xavier Watts.
Owner Arthur Blank spoke about the defense in a news conference on January 8. He praised Ulbrich's work and said he would suggest keeping him to the next head coach. Blank made clear he would not force the issue, leaving the call to the new leader.
Kevin Stefanski brings his own track record. He coached the Cleveland Browns before coming to Atlanta. There, he built staffs with familiar faces. Now, he looks to blend that with what the Falcons already have.
Key Details
The Falcons announced the decision to retain Ulbrich on Monday morning. Stefanski agreed right away, seeing value in the continuity. This keeps the top of the defense intact as the team builds for 2026.
Reports surfaced Sunday from NFL insiders about the plan. Ian Rapoport noted on NFL GameDay Morning that Ulbrich would stay on to coach Atlanta's defense. Other pieces of Stefanski's staff are falling into place too. Tommy Rees, who served as offensive coordinator with Stefanski in Cleveland in 2025, is expected to take the same job in Atlanta. Bill Callahan, who worked on Stefanski's offensive line in Cleveland from 2020 to 2023, may return after a stint in Tennessee.
Defensive Performance Breakdown
Ulbrich's first year had bright spots and challenges. The defense started strong against the pass, ranking among the league's best in the first half of 2025. They shone in prime-time games, like Monday night wins over the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Sacks came in bunches thanks to the young edge rushers. Pearce Jr. emerged as a star, while Walker and Dorlus added depth.
Inconsistencies showed up later. The run defense and overall points allowed lagged behind the pass rush gains. Still, the talent mix—youth and experience—gives a solid base. Terrell locks down receivers, Bates calls plays in the secondary, and Watts brings speed.
"The defense has a high ceiling when used right," said an NFL scout who watched Atlanta closely last season.
Stefanski's choice to keep Ulbrich signals trust in that potential. It avoids a full overhaul after one season.
What This Means
Keeping Ulbrich provides stability for a defense on the rise. The pass rush, a weak spot before 2025, now looks like a strength. With those young players entering their prime, Atlanta could climb rankings fast. The secondary talent supports that growth, covering for any front-seven lapses.
For Stefanski, this lets him focus on the offense. Bringing back Rees and possibly Callahan reunites pieces from Cleveland. That familiarity could speed up the transition. The Falcons finished 2025 with promise but no playoffs. Continuity on defense pairs well with offensive changes.
Atlanta fans have waited for defensive improvement. Ulbrich delivered sacks and big plays, even if rankings sat middling. Blank's support and Stefanski's buy-in suggest commitment to building around this group. The 2026 season starts with a core intact, young stars ready, and a head coach who values what they bring.
Questions remain on how the full staff shapes up. Will more Cleveland holdovers join? How will Ulbrich adapt schemes under Stefanski? The defense must cut down points and yards allowed to match the pass rush hype. Players like Pearce, Walker, and Dorlus need to build on their rookie years. Veterans Terrell and Bates anchor it all.
This move sets a tone of evolution, not revolution. The Falcons aim to compete in a tough NFC South. With Stefanski leading and Ulbrich calling defenses, they keep tools to push forward. Training camp will show how it all gels.
