ATLANTA (AP) — Kevin Stefanski praised his new quarterback and knocked off his veteran quarterback during his news conference as Atlanta Falcons head coach on Tuesday.
The Falcons’ new leadership team — which includes Stefanski and president of football Matt Ryan — plans to evaluate every position on the roster, including quarterback. But Stefanski said he’s optimistic about Michael Penix Jr.’s future in Atlanta.
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“Michael, you’re excited about these material gifts,” Stefanski said. “You’re going to see a player on tape who can continue to develop, who can layer the ball, who can push the ball to all areas of the floor. Obviously, he was very productive in college and had some really, really, really good moments in his career. So I just see a young player that’s going to continue to develop and continue to get better.”
Since being hired on Jan. 17, Stefanski has spent time engaging with Falcons players. He said he was in the training room last week chatting with Penix, who is rehabbing a torn ACL that has ended his 2025 season.
Veteran Kirk Cousins took over for Penix and led the Falcons to four straight wins to end the season.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract shortly before the Falcons selected Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Penix replaced Cousins as the starter late that season.
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Stefanski and Cousins worked together with the Vikings. Stefanski served as Minnesota’s quarterbacks coach in 2018 and as offensive coordinator the following season, and the Vikings’ efficient offense with Cousins under center helped Stefanski land the Browns’ head coaching job in 2020.
While acknowledging his relationship with Cousins, Stefanski declined to discuss the veteran’s future. Cousins’ contract was restructured earlier this month, a move that suggested the Falcons could move on from him.
Stefanski responds to Mayfield
By joining the NFC South, Stefanski has a new competitor in Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who coached him for two seasons in Cleveland.
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Mayfield made it clear in social media posts that he’s recently motivated to beat the Falcons.
“Still waiting for a text/call from him after I was carted away like trash,” Mayfield wrote. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, coach.”
When asked about Mayfield’s comments, Stefanski had an answer ready.
“Baker is someone I have a lot of respect for as a player and a person,” he said. “I love rivalries in sports, and obviously there’s a great rivalry between the Buccaneers and Falcons. It’s something I’m excited about, but I’m not going to get into those types of details other than to say I have a lot of respect for Baker as a player, as a person. This is a great team with great players.”
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The search for a general manager continues
The Falcons have yet to hire a general manager to work with Ryan and Stefanski.
“We’ve done multiple interviews so far,” Ryan said. “We are excited about the progress and we will be conducting some in-person interviews in the near future.”
The Falcons interviewed a number of candidates. Two of them — Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams — also interviewed for Ryan’s job as president of football.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL