The Falcons held the introductory press conference for new head coach Kevin Stefanski on Tuesday, and he made it clear that he will not be calling plays on offense in 2026, handing those duties over to newly hired offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

When it comes to NFL play callers, Rees is largely an unknown. That’s true despite coordinating offenses at some of the most prestigious programs in college football — Notre Dame from 2020–2022 and Alabama in 2023. He helped guide both schools to College Football Playoff appearances, but it would be a stretch to say his offenses were the driving force behind that success. It’s also fair to note he wasn’t exactly aided by elite quarterback play during those stints.

The same applies to his time in Cleveland. Rees joined Stefanski’s staff in 2024 as the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator midway through this past season, taking over play-calling duties. The Browns’ offense was largely uninspiring, but it’s hard to put much stock into that when rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders were starting games at quarterback.

That’s why projecting what kind of success Rees might have in Atlanta is difficult. There just isn’t much of a sample size to work with in a stable environment. What is clear, though, is that Kevin Stefanski trusts him.

“Tommy will call plays,” Stefanski said. “I think he’s an outstanding football coach. He has had unbelievable experiences in his young career. We see the game similarly but we also push each other.”

Matt Ryan also spent considerable time vetting Rees throughout the hiring process — something that should at least offer some reassurance coming from the Falcons’ new President of Football.

Matt Ryan said Tommy Rees as playcaller was absolutely discussed in depth during the interview process with Stefanksi. Ryan said he did as much vetting on Rees as he did with some of the head coaches they were looking for. Likes him a lot, obviously.

— Joe Patrick (@JoePatrick) January 27, 2026

Whether he’s calling plays or not, Kevin Stefanski is going to be heavily involved in the offensive game plan, and his voice will be heard loud and clear on Sundays. He trusts Rees, and if the hire backfires, there will be nobody to blame but himself.

So for now, all you can really do is hope he follows in the footsteps of another failed Cleveland OC who joined the Falcons ahead of the 2015 season — a guy by the name of Kyle Shanahan.

That one seemed to work out pretty well for Atlanta, if I remember correctly.

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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire