Falcons could add familiar face to intensifying rivalry

By Ross Jackson

With the Atlanta Falcons on the hunt for their next head coach, some signs appear to point to the team leaning toward a familiar face for the New Orleans Saints. 

With former Baltimore Ravens head coach Jon Harbaugh landing with the New York Giants, the Falcons missed out on the top available coach. With former Cleveland Browns leader Kevin Stefanski still available, the Falcons can still land a high-level option. 

However, recent news seems to insinuate a different direction, former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. 

After not retaining head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson effectively became a free agent. While defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich had an interview request by the Dallas Cowboys blocked, Robinson was allowed a chance to visit with the Detroit Lions to discuss their open offensive coordinator position. 

Former #Falcons OC Zac Robinson is flying to Detroit to interview for the vacant #Lions OC job on Thursday, sources say. Robinson, a strong candidate with the #Bucs, has a successful history with Jared Goff from their time in LA. pic.twitter.com/1SwESWgsFH

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2026

This indicates that a head coach that is an offensive playcaller may be on the way. 

Kubiak was one of the first completed interviews for Atlanta, per the team’s social media. He has ties to the Shanahan family, one of which helped to lead the team to its only Super Bowl appearance as an offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan. 

Kubiak started off looking like a head coach candidate after the early goings of his one-and-done year in New Orleans. Now, he’s led a high-octane attack to capture the NFC’s No. 1 seed with the Seattle Seahawks. He could be a very effective system-builder in Atlanta with the talent the team possesses on offense. 

However, his leadership acumen will be questioned. He once described his own personality as that of a “wet blanket” during a media availability session in New Orleans. 

Should the Falcons go that route, surrounding him with strong personalities may be a necessity.

Additionally, this hire would further fuel an intensifying rivalry between the two teams. The NFC South foes have created one of the league’s most competitive rivalries, even if not covered the same way as other long-standing feuds. 

The two teams have met 114 times in their histories, including one playoff game. The Falcons lead the series 58-56, 57-56 in the regular season. 

Adding Kubiak to a long list of shared talent between the two franchises at a time when both teams are ascending and looking to take control of the division would only add fuel to the twice-a-year fire.