Tommy Rees Joins Falcons As Offensive Coordinator In Major Staff Overhaul

Tommy Rees is packing his bags for Atlanta, and he’s not making the journey alone—he’s following head coach Kevin Stefanski, his recent boss in Cleveland. The move, which is all but official according to multiple league sources, marks a fresh start for both men after a tumultuous 2025 campaign with the Browns. For the Atlanta Falcons, this signals a bold shift as they look to revitalize their offense and finally shake off years of mediocrity.

Rees, just 33 years old, will take over as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, reuniting with Stefanski, who was named Atlanta’s head coach earlier this week. The two developed a strong working relationship during their two years together in Cleveland, with Rees first joining as tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024 before being promoted to offensive coordinator after Ken Dorsey’s midseason firing. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, "The Falcons are expected to hire Tommy Rees as their new offensive coordinator." Albert Breer of SI.com confirmed, "Rees has accepted the job."

It’s been a whirlwind stretch for Rees, whose coaching stock has risen despite the Browns’ offensive woes. Before his NFL stint, Rees was a quarterback at Notre Dame and later returned to his alma mater as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020 to 2022. In 2023, he joined Nick Saban’s Alabama staff, guiding the Crimson Tide’s offense in what would be Saban’s final season. That year, he oversaw a breakout campaign from quarterback Jalen Milroe, who now backs up in Seattle. After just one season with Saban, Rees moved to the NFL, joining the Browns as a tight ends coach and pass game specialist.

But let’s not sugarcoat it: Cleveland’s offense in 2025 was, frankly, a mess. The Browns finished a dismal 30th in total offense, averaging just 262.1 yards per game, and ranked 31st in both passing and points per game—barely scraping over 16 points a contest. The running game didn’t fare much better, coming in at 27th in the league. The constant quarterback carousel didn’t help matters. The Browns cycled through five different quarterbacks: veteran Joe Flacco (who was brought in as a stopgap and later traded to the Bengals), rookie Dillon Gabriel (a third-round pick who went 1-5 before suffering a concussion), rookie Shedeur Sanders (a fifth-rounder who posted a 3-4 record as starter), Kenny Pickett (acquired via trade), and the oft-injured Deshaun Watson, whose massive contract continued to loom over the franchise.

Stefanski began the year calling plays for the Browns, but after persistent struggles, he handed those duties to Rees before a Week 10 loss to the Jets. The offense never truly found its rhythm, but Rees was praised for his ability to keep an injury-riddled and inexperienced unit competitive. According to cleveland.com, "Rees, in his first season as coordinator, took over play-calling duties in Week 10 vs. the Jets, and was tasked with running a point-challenged offense with two rookie quarterbacks coming up the learning curve."

Rees’s move to Atlanta comes after he generated interest for several high-profile college head coaching vacancies, including interviews at Penn State and Michigan. He also interviewed for the Browns’ head coaching job, but with Stefanski’s departure and the Browns’ ongoing search for a new leader, Rees declined a second interview and set his sights on the Falcons. As Albert Breer noted, "This move slams the door on that possibility" of Rees becoming the Browns’ head coach.

The Browns, meanwhile, are left scrambling. Their head coaching search is heating up, with offensive candidates like Todd Monken (Ravens), Grant Udinski (Jaguars), and Nate Scheelhaase (Rams) in the mix. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Chargers DC Jesse Minter are also finalists. Whoever takes over in Cleveland will inherit a roster in flux, especially at quarterback, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders currently topping the depth chart. The uncertainty at the game’s most important position is reportedly giving some coaching candidates pause, according to sources cited by cleveland.com.

So what awaits Rees and Stefanski in Atlanta? On paper, it’s a far more promising situation than what they left behind in Cleveland. The Falcons boast a young, talented core featuring running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London—both among the best at their positions. Tight end Kyle Pitts, fresh off a second-team All-Pro campaign, could return if the new regime decides to re-sign him. Rees and Stefanski’s history of working with tight ends like David Njoku and Harold Fannin in Cleveland may factor into that decision.

But there’s a catch: Atlanta’s quarterback situation is every bit as murky as Cleveland’s. After the 2023 season, the Falcons made a splash by signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. Then, in a surprise move, they used the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Michael Penix Jr. Cousins struggled in his first season and was ultimately benched for Penix in Week 16. Penix, for his part, showed promise but suffered a partially torn ACL in Week 11 of the 2025 season—a continuation of the injury woes that plagued his college career. It remains unclear if Penix will be ready for the start of the 2026 season, or if the Falcons’ new leadership, including team president Matt Ryan, will stick with him as the starter. Cousins, despite his contract, could be released.

Under former offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, the Falcons finished 14th in total offense and 21st in points scored last season—solid, but not spectacular. Only eight teams scored fewer points, and the Falcons’ inability to maximize their offensive talent ultimately led to a coaching overhaul. There’s hope that Stefanski and Rees, with their experience and collaborative approach, can unlock a more dynamic attack in Atlanta. As noted by SI.com, "The Falcons finished a slightly above-average 14th in total offense under coordinator Zac Robinson in 2025. Only eight teams amassed fewer points, though, and Stefanski and Rees will aim for better results next season."

Rees’s track record suggests he’s up for the challenge. He’s worked with a wide range of quarterbacks, from college stars to NFL veterans, and has built a reputation as a creative play-caller and teacher. Still, the pressure will be on from day one in Atlanta, where fans are hungry for a return to playoff contention and a more exciting brand of football.

With the coaching staff nearly in place, all eyes now turn to the Falcons’ quarterback decision and the upcoming free agency period. Will Rees and Stefanski stick with Penix, give Cousins another shot, or look elsewhere for answers? And will they be able to keep their offensive weapons together for a run at the NFC South title?

One thing’s certain: with Tommy Rees and Kevin Stefanski at the helm, the Falcons are betting big on a new era. The city of Atlanta is watching—and waiting to see if this bold gamble finally pays off.