The Cleveland Browns didn’t want head coach Kevin Stefanski any longer, which is why they fired him after six seasons in the job. However, his hiring by the Atlanta Falcons could spell a real problem for Cleveland.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported on Saturday, January 17 that offensive coordinator Tommy Rees might join Stefanski in Atlanta if he got the gig.
“Hearing that #Browns OC Tommy Rees might have a chance to join Kevin Stefanski wherever he goes,” Cabot posted to X. “Stefanski is getting a 2nd interview today with the #Falcons.”
Stefanski subsequently had that interview, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank hired him after it ended.
“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness and active collaboration with every area of the football operation,” Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan said in a statement.
Stefanski is the second head coach hired by an NFL team this cycle, after the New York Giants inked John Harbaugh to lead their sideline earlier in the week.
Browns May Want to Keep Tommy Rees as OC if Team Promotes DC Jim Schwartz to Head Coach
GettyDefensive coordinator Jim Schwartz of the Cleveland Browns.
Rees might not remain in Cleveland following his first year as the offensive coordinator regardless of whether he accompanies Stefanski to the NFC South Division or not.
If the Browns hire an offensive-minded head coach, there is a good chance Rees is looking for work elsewhere in the coming weeks anyway. However, if the team elevates defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to the head coaching position, he may prefer to keep Rees on for the purpose of continuity.
Cleveland has already interviewed Schwartz once and offered him a second interview earlier in the week. Albert Breer of SI believes that Schwartz will ultimately land the job.
“My guess would be Jim Schwartz,” Breer wrote on January 16. “But they’re one of two teams (Atlanta being the other) where there’s an internal preference to keep a good defensive coordinator on board in some capacity. And I think there’s a good chance Schwartz, who’s loved by his players and has developed the young guys at a high level, is the guy when it’s all said and done. We’ll see next week.”
Tommy Rees Rising Quickly Through NFL Ranks, Could Be Head Coach in Coming Years
GettyOffensive coordinator Tommy Rees of the Cleveland Browns.
Rees, 33 years old, joined the Browns in 2024 to coach the tight ends and work as the pass-game specialist. After one year with those responsibilities, Stefanski promoted him to offensive coordinator.
Rees played quarterback at Notre Dame from 2010-13 and got into coaching as a graduate assistant at Northwestern two years later. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers, then located in San Diego, functioning as an offensive assistant in 2016.
Rees moved on to serve as the QBs coach at Notre Dame for the next three seasons before the program promoted him to the joint role of QBs coach/offensive coordinator, which he held for the following three years. Rees had a one-year stint as the OC at Alabama in 2023 before linking up with Stefanski and the Browns.
Browns Get Bad News After Falcons Hire Kevin Stefanski