The Cleveland Browns could lose an important staff member amid their search for a new head coach.
Cleveland fired Kevin Stefanski following another disappointing season, and on Saturday, he was officially hired by the Atlanta Falcons. Not only did Stefanski quickly land on his feet, but he could now poach some of the Browns’ staff.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Tommy Rees is considered a strong candidate to land the Falcons’ offensive coordinator job and work under Stefanski again.
“Tommy Rees looms as a strong OC candidate, sources say. With Jeff Ulbrich on defense, the makings of an excellent staff,” Rapoport wrote on X.
Rees is currently interviewing with the Browns for their head coaching job, so going to Atlanta would be a blow to Cleveland. It would also mean the Browns would need to hire a new offensive coordinator, along with a head coach.
So, before the Browns even hire a head coach, Stefanski may have just poached a legit candidate for the vacant job in Cleveland.
Stefanski hired Rees in 2024 to be the Browns’ Pass game specialist and tight ends coach, after serving as the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator. Rees was then named offensive coordinator in 2025 for Cleveland.
Browns Showed Interest in Rees as HC
Rees has already interviewed for the vacant head coaching job, and the team said he and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would get a chance to land the job.
At his year-end press conference, general manager Andrew Berry confirmed both Schwartz and Rees would get a chance to interview for the head coaching job.
“I’ll talk about them individually, since you raised two coaches who are on our staff. So first with Jim – Jim’s an outstanding football coach,” Berry said. “We have a lot of respect for him. A lot of appreciation for him, and he has certainly earned the right for consideration.
“But that’s something that we still have to discuss and obviously discuss with him. And Tommy, he’s a very talented young coordinator. He’s held in very high regard, not just in college football, but across the NFL. But again, those are discussions that we have to continue to have.”
However, Berry wouldn’t confirm if either would remain on the Browns staff if they didn’t land the head coaching job.
Stefanski is ‘Thrilled’ to Coach the Falcons
The Falcons officially named Stefanski their next head coach on Saturday.
As part of the announcement, Stefanski issued a statement and said he was thrilled to coach the Falcons.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be charged with leading this iconic franchise,” said Stefanski. “I am grateful to Mr. Blank and Matt Ryan for trusting me to coach this football team. And there are many talented players on our roster that I cannot wait to coach. We share a vision for this football team that I believe will make Falcons fans everywhere proud.
“We will get to work immediately putting together a first-class coaching staff and working hard to get to know all the great people that are so important to getting us all where we want to go.”
Stefanski went 45-56 as the Browns head coach over six seasons.
Browns Get Concerning Update on HC Search After Kevin Stefanski Hired by Falcons