Everything Kevin Stefanski Said About Penix, Cousins, Bijan, Falcons' Play-Calling Duties

The Atlanta Falcons introduced Kevin Stefanski as their next head coach on Tuesday. During that press conference, Stefanski spoke about numerous topics, including quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins, running back Bijan Robinson and the team's play-calling duties.

Regarding Penix, the team's QB1 to begin 2025, Stefanski had this to say.

The Falcons selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and he took over late during his rookie season for a struggling Cousins. He began this season as the sta and played nine games, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for nine touchdowns (three interceptions) and 1,982 passing yards. He ranked 27th in quarterback rating.

Unfortunately, on Nov. 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Penix suffered a torn ACL, his fifth season-ending injury in college and the pros. ESPN's Adam Schefter on Nov. 22 reported that recovery time was expected to take nine months (until August 2026).

Penix could very well be back in time for the beginning of next season, but there's obviously a big question mark at QB, especially considering that the team restructured Cousins' four-year, $180 million contract.

There is a guarantee of $67.9 million on the deal if Cousins is still on the team on March 13, and one can guess the Falcons may simply part ways with him before then to avoid paying that figure.

Stefanski didn't delve into Cousins' future with the Falcons.

He did speak about superstar running back Bijan Robinson, who just led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage and earned All-Pro First Team honors. Robinson has developed into the superstar Atlanta expected when the team selected the Texas Longhorn with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Needless to say, Stefanski is excited to work with him. He also discussed Robinson's intangibles as well.

Robinson will work with new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who served on Stefanski's Cleveland Browns staff over the last two years as pass game specialist and tight ends coach (2024) and offensive coordinator (2025).

Stefanski, who has an offensive coaching background and was the Minnesota Vikings' OC before becoming Cleveland's head coach in 2020, said that Rees will call plays.

Stefanski takes over a Falcons team that hasn't posted a winning record or made the playoffs since 2017. Atlanta came awfully close in 2025, though, but lost a three-team tiebreaker to the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South title at 8-9. The talent is there for a breakthrough to the playoffs, though.

Stefanski does know a thing or two about breaking playoff droughts, as he led Cleveland to its first playoff appearance since 2002 and first playoff win since 1994 in his first year with the Browns (2020).