Saints’ rival to hire best-available head coach

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints’ biggest rivals just hired the best-available head coach candidate, per report. 

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are set to hire former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. 

The team moved on from their former leader, Raheem Morris, after the final week of the 2025 season. 

After former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was hired by the New York Giants, Stefanski was left as the best candidate available during the 2026 coach carousel. 

Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year award winner, may boast only a 45-56 career win-loss record, but his coaching acumen goes beyond the limits of success with the Browns considering their roster-building and asset management challenges during his tenure. 

The offensive playcaller could be in a great position with a strong offensive roster of playmakers, including running back Bijan Robinson, and a second year with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. 

The Saints are Falcons appear in line to rocket to the top of the NFC South with their new leadership and improving rosters headed into 2026.