Jan 19, 2026
3 min read
Jeff Ulbricht will stay and continue as the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons, network insider Ian Rapoport reported on the morning of Sports Day.
Kevin Stefanski's Falcons coaching staff is already coming together, starting with retaining the team's defensive coordinator.
Jeff Ulbricht will stay and continue to coach Atlanta's defense, Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on GameDay Morning on Sunday.
Rapoport also said that Tommy gap, which was stefanski's offensive coordinator with the browns in 2025, will likely follow the main coach and service in the same position in Atlanta.Bill Callahan, Cleveland's offensive line coach of 2020-2023 before he is off to coach at Tennessee under his son, Brian, will likely return to work on Stefanski's staff, according to Rapoport and Network Insiders Tom Papoport and Mike Garafolo.
The band seems a little on the verge of getting back together, but it's the retention of an unknown member, Ulbrich, that may be more important.Owner Arthur Blank said in a Jan. 8 press conference that he would recommend Ulbrich to whoever becomes the team's next head coach.However, he did not want to "dictate" any coordinator choices.
However, Stefanski is on board, maintaining some consistency at the top for the outstanding unit.
Although the Falcons have had disappointing results, ranking 19th in points allowed and 15th in yards allowed, the defense is loaded with talent, with a good mix of young starters and veterans.
After the sack was very difficult to come in the season before Ulbrich's arrival, when the team ranked 31st with 31, Atlanta's pass rush engine is looking for 2025. The Falcons finished with 57, second in the NFL.James Pearce Jr., a rookie in the first round, led the way with 10.5, while fellow first-rounder from the '25 draft, Jalon Walker, had 5.5 and Brandon Dorlus got 8.5.All three will be 25 or younger next season.On the back end, there's cornerback A.J.Terrell, safety Jessie Bates and another good young man, Xavier Watts.
In Ulbricht's first season as DC, there have been some growing pains and inconsistencies, but the defense had one of the league's best this season, and it led to some big nights over the Bills and Rams.
When used properly, the Atlanta talent pool has a high ceiling.
Ulbricht has shown that he knows how to use them, and is now working with Stefanski on a pre-established basis.
