Falcons Land Tommy Rees As Offensive Coordinator In Coaching Shake Up

The Atlanta Falcons are making bold moves in their quest to return to NFL prominence, with the latest headline-grabbing addition being Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator. The 33-year-old coach, who spent the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, will be reuniting with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski—a partnership that both hope will spark a much-needed turnaround in Atlanta.

Rees’s hiring, reported on January 21, 2026, has generated significant buzz around the league. After all, it’s not every day that a young offensive mind, once a highly regarded quarterback at Notre Dame, gets the chance to help reshape an NFL franchise alongside a coach he knows well. Rees’s journey to Atlanta has been marked by rapid ascension: after serving as the Browns’ tight ends coach and passing game specialist in 2024, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2025. When Cleveland stumbled to a 2-6 start, Stefanski handed over play-calling duties to Rees in November, signaling trust in his protégé’s vision.

Yet, the Browns’ offense struggled mightily last season, finishing 31st in points per game (16.4), 30th in total yards (262.1), 27th in rushing yards (97.0), and 31st in passing yards (140.3). Quarterback instability and a revolving door at key positions didn’t help matters. Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders all saw snaps under center, but consistency was elusive. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler put it, “Stefanski and the Falcons are expected to hire Rees as Atlanta’s next offensive coordinator.”

Despite the statistical woes, Rees remains highly regarded in coaching circles. His track record as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame (2020-22) and Alabama (2023) has drawn interest from both NFL teams and major college programs. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Falcons are expected to hire former Browns OC Tommy Rees as the new OC for coach Kevin Stefanski, sources say. The favorite all along, Rees now lands in Atlanta.”

The Falcons’ coaching overhaul doesn’t stop with Rees. Atlanta hired veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan on January 20, 2026—a move that brings a wealth of experience to the trenches. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, a steady presence from the previous regime, was retained on January 19. And of course, the Falcons made waves by hiring Stefanski as head coach on January 17, replacing Raheem Morris after two consecutive 8-9 seasons. The front office also saw changes, with legendary quarterback Matt Ryan stepping in as president of football on January 10.

Rees’s appointment means Zac Robinson, the previous offensive coordinator, will not be returning. That’s hardly surprising given the seismic shifts in Atlanta’s leadership. The Falcons, who finished in a three-way tie atop the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record, are desperate to end an eight-year postseason drought. Stefanski’s mandate is clear: transform a franchise stuck in neutral into a playoff contender.

There’s no question that the Stefanski-Rees duo faces challenges. Atlanta’s quarterback situation is murky at best. Michael Penix Jr., the promising rookie, is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered in November 2025, while veteran Kirk Cousins’ future remains uncertain. The Falcons’ offense, which showed flashes but lacked consistency, will need a steady hand at the helm—and Rees’s play-calling acumen will be put to the test.

Rees’s football pedigree is impressive. He played four seasons at Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013, completing 59.8% of his passes for 7,670 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions in 47 games. After transitioning to coaching, he quickly climbed the ranks, first at his alma mater and then at Alabama under Nick Saban in 2023. His familiarity with developing quarterbacks and crafting modern passing attacks is precisely what the Falcons hope will ignite their offense.

Atlanta’s offseason has been a whirlwind of activity. The hiring of Bill Callahan as offensive line coach is particularly noteworthy; Callahan’s reputation for building dominant lines precedes him, and his presence should benefit both the run and pass games. The Falcons’ decision to retain Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator provides continuity on the other side of the ball, which could prove vital as the team adapts to Stefanski’s system.

Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the Browns are dealing with their own coaching carousel. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who just finished his third season with the Browns, is a finalist for the head coaching job. Schwartz’s defense was a bright spot last year, ranking first in several categories, including total yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game. The Browns finished with the fourth-fewest total yards allowed (283.6 per game), third-fewest passing yards (167.2), and recorded a franchise-record 53 sacks. Schwartz’s future remains uncertain, but the Browns are keen to keep him if he doesn’t land the top job.

Back in Atlanta, the focus is firmly on the future. The Falcons are betting that the Stefanski-Rees partnership, forged in the crucible of Cleveland’s ups and downs, will flourish in a new environment. There’s optimism that a more stable offensive situation—paired with a healthy quarterback and improved line play—will allow Rees to showcase his creativity and strategic mind. As one league source told ESPN, bringing Rees along “is looking good.”

There was some speculation that former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan might join Stefanski’s staff as offensive coordinator, but the Falcons instead hired his father, Bill Callahan, for the offensive line. That move underscores Atlanta’s commitment to building a staff with both fresh perspectives and proven experience.

Of course, the pressure is on. The Falcons haven’t reached the playoffs in eight years, and fans are hungry for a return to relevance. The NFC South remains wide open, and with the right moves, Atlanta could quickly climb the standings. But it all starts with the offense—an area where Rees will be under the microscope from day one.

For now, the city of Atlanta is abuzz with anticipation. The team’s leadership overhaul, highlighted by Stefanski and Rees, has injected new energy into the franchise. Whether that translates into wins remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Falcons are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of success.

As the dust settles on a frenetic offseason, all eyes will be on Tommy Rees and Kevin Stefanski as they look to script a new chapter in Atlanta’s football story. The pieces are in place—the time to deliver is now.