Former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is bringing a familiar face with him to Atlanta.
The Falcons have hired Tommy Rees as their offensive coordinator, reuniting him with Stefanski after they spent two seasons together with the Browns. Rees initially served as the pass game specialist and tight ends coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator last season. He took over play-calling duties from Stefanski after the bye week.
“The Falcons are expected to hire former Browns OC Tommy Rees as the new OC for coach Kevin Stefanski, sources say,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said on X. “The favorite all along, Rees now lands in Atlanta.”
Rees interviewed for the Browns’ head coaching vacancy earlier this offseason, though he did not advance beyond the initial round. He now gets another opportunity to run an offense under Stefanski, this time in a new environment.
Cleveland’s offense struggled mightily in 2025, finishing near the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories. The Browns ranked 29th in yards per game (262.1) and 31st in points per game (16.4), while cycling through quarterbacks and dealing with significant personnel limitations.
Despite those results, Rees remains well regarded in coaching circles. The former Notre Dame quarterback has drawn interest from multiple college programs in recent years and is viewed as a rising offensive mind.
The Falcons are betting that continuity with Stefanski — and a more stable offensive situation — will allow Rees to show more than the numbers did in Cleveland.
Jim Schwartz Still in Mix for Browns Job
While one coordinator is gone, another remains in Cleveland and is among the finalists for the head coaching job. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has gone through two interviews for the head coaching position. Even if he doesn’t get the job, the Browns would like to keep Schwartz in place as their defensive coordinator.
The 59-year-old finished just his third season as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator. Since Schwartz’s arrival, Cleveland’s defense has ranked first in the league across numerous categories, including total yards allowed per game, opponent first downs allowed, third- and fourth-down percentage, passing yards allowed per game, first downs per pass attempt and tackles for loss.
Despite a 5-12 record, the Browns finished last season allowing the fourth-fewest total yards (283.6 per game) and third-fewest passing yards (167.2), ranked third with 53 sacks — a franchise record — and tied for second with eight defensive touchdowns.
Schwartz previously served as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-13. His 29 years of NFL coaching experience include 17 seasons as a defensive coordinator, with stops in Tennessee, Buffalo and Philadelphia, where he helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII.
Browns Still Sorting Out Candidates
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter are also finalists for the Browns head coaching position.
The Browns cannot interview Scheelhaase until at least Monday because of the NFC Championship Game scheduled for Sunday. His interview would also satisfy one of the team’s Rooney Rule requirements, which mandates in-person interviews with at least two external minority candidates for a head coaching position.
Mike McDaniel had been expected to satisfy the Browns’ Rooney Rule requirement, but the former Miami Dolphins head coach withdrew from consideration earlier this week.
Falcons’ Kevin Stefanski Poaches Ex-Browns Coach