The Atlanta Falcons are entering another offseason where the quarterback position is a main focus. General manager Ian Cunningham announced at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that veteran Kirk Cousins will be released at the start of the new league year, leaving Michael Penix Jr. as the only quarterback on the roster. Penix, who started his second season with the Falcons, suffered an ACL injury in Week 11 and his availability for the start of 2026 remains uncertain.
Cunningham addressed Penix’s recovery process, stating, “He’s where he should be. I feel like he’s doing a really good job, he’s coming in every single day, he’s doing what he needs to do, and we’re confident that he’s on track.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been recognized for his work with quarterbacks during his coaching career with both the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns. In 2017, Stefanski helped Case Keenum lead Minnesota to the playoffs. The following year, he worked with Cousins as he threw 30 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions. As head coach of the Browns starting in 2020, Stefanski guided Baker Mayfield to his first winning season and led Cleveland to its first postseason appearance since 2002. In 2023, despite five different quarterbacks starting games due to injuries, Stefanski coached Cleveland to an 11-6 record and another playoff berth.
Kelsey Russo, associate editor and staff writer for the Cleveland Browns, explained Stefanski’s approach: “Kevin Stefanski’s offenses have been what they have been: Creating those passing opportunities but using that wide-zone-run-game aspect of it. However, there was also an adaptability piece to it for whichever quarterback is out there. You have to use their skill sets and maximize their skill sets.”
Penix received positive reviews during his pre-draft process for his arm talent and poise in the pocket. He has played as a starter in 12 games over two seasons with Atlanta. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Penix’s throwing ability to Joe Flacco—who won Comeback Player of the Year after joining Cleveland midseason in 2023—and noted that Penix shares similar qualities that Stefanski could utilize.
Stefanski spoke about developing young quarterbacks at the combine: “As coaches and clubs, we want to do all that we can to insulate those players and put them in a system, put players around them to allow for development of young players,” he said. “I think there’s countless examples of players that maybe their development takes time.
“It could take seasons, and I think there’s great examples of MVPs in this league where it didn’t click right away for them. And just understanding that as part of the process. But I do think it takes a lot of people to set the course for those young players at that position because it’s a hard position to play.”
Stefanski emphasized an individualized approach when working with players: “It was very individualized because players are individual people,” Russo said regarding her experience covering Stefanski in Cleveland. “They have different parts of their skill sets that are stronger, weaker, etc., that they need to address. And so that dedication to that aspect of meeting the player where they’re at…was something I think he was really good at and instilled in his staff as well.”
For Atlanta’s quarterback room moving forward, Stefanski wants everyone involved in coaching quarterbacks—offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and position coach Alex Van Pelt—to communicate consistently: “When you’re in that quarterback room, you want to make sure that the voice is singular,” Stefanski said. “Even though it may be multiple people, the voice and what you’re telling the player is singular.… That’s part of the benefit of having Tommy Reese [and] having Alex Van Pelk; these are guys that I’ve coached with…We’re all speaking the same language.”
The Falcons compete in the NFL’s NFC South division and are based in Atlanta, Georgia. They began as an expansion team in 1965 and advanced twice to the Super Bowl, reaching it in 1998 and 2016. The team’s mascot is Freddie the Falcon.
