NFL world reacts to Falcons hiring two former offensive coordinators

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons are going in a different direction on offense under head coach Kevin Stefanski. That much became obvious once the team retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and let offensive coordinator Zac Robinson leave to call plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will take over for Robinson as Atlanta's play-caller this season, and the rest of Stefanski's staff has been coming together over the last few days.

On Saturday, the team hired Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt served as the offensive coordinator for Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in 2024 before taking a job with the Los Angeles Rams last year. Prior to that, he served as the Browns offensive coordinator for four years (2020-2023).

Van Pelt wasn't the only former offensive coordinator hired by the team over the weekend. According to a report from NFL Network, the Falcons are hiring Tanner Engstrand as their passing-game coordinator. Engstrand was the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets last season.

While fans weren't overly thrilled about Rees being named offensive coordinator, those around the NFL receptive have responded well to the team hiring Van Pelt and Engstrand.

NFL world react to Falcons hiring two former play-callers​

Falcons get a good one in Tanner Engstrand, with Kevin Stefanski wisely adding him to the staff as the offensive passing game coordinator, sources say. Great communicator and a very well-liked coach in both Detroit and New York.

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 1, 2026

The building of a good staff is vitally important for an HC. Stefanski looks to have learned some things because his offensive staff is looking really solid.

— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) February 1, 2026

The hire of Alex Van Pelt is a massive departure from how things were run under Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson. One of my biggest criticisms was that the #Falcons didn't have any experienced playcallers on staff to help Robinson work through the challenges and provide guidance.

— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 31, 2026

I thought Tanner Engstrand did Not A Bad Job At All with what he was given last year, man. https://t.co/r9bh5uX3gJ

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 27, 2026

More of Stefanski’s staff https://t.co/hE1uwO0XSY

— A M B E Z Y (@bezy_bby) January 31, 2026

Tanner Engstrand was the passing game coordinator for the Lions from 2022-2024.

2022 - 8th in passing yards per game
2023 - 3rd in passing yards per game
2024 - 2nd in passing yards per game

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) February 1, 2026

Hot Take? I think Falcons Pass Game Coordinator Tanner Engstrand is a better hire than OC Tommy Rees

Flip the jobs lol https://t.co/U2nrB3igNkpic.twitter.com/pi7GBLWozD

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) February 1, 2026

It’s the main reason he went for Stefanski. His belief in the play action and running helping as young qb https://t.co/iNKbFVJdGF

— ATLien UncleMoonk (@GradybabyMunk) February 1, 2026

Zac Robinson seems to be over the moon about Tampa. The personality and enthusiasm he’s showing in his interviews makes me think he absolutely hated it here in Atlanta and obviously never made a real connection with Penix. Looking fwd to seeing Penix develop w/ Rees & Stefanski

— Tish (@tish________) January 28, 2026

Good hire.

Lots of experience, was credited for a lot of the initial development of Drake Maye, was apart of the staff who Kevin went to the playoffs in Cleveland, and just got done working in a senior role with the Rams.

— Matt (@tempyatl) February 1, 2026

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: NFL fans react to coaching staff additons

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