The Falcons sit at 0-2, and Kevin Stefanski’s first season in Atlanta has gotten off to a disastrous start.
The former two-time NFL Coach of the Year inherited an offense featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Stefanski, one of the most sought-after coaching candidates this cycle, got his wish with a loaded Atlanta roster.
Through two games, the Falcons have managed just 16 total points.
“There’s no way to win in the NFL like that,” Stefanski said after a 34-3 home loss to the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta has yet to reach the red zone this season despite hiring an offensive guru last year.
Late in the game, the home crowd booed Stefanski’s offense, which was led by Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent rookie signed after the 2026 NFL Draft out of Minnesota State–Moorhead.
Never heard of Minnesota State-Moorhead? It’s an NCAA Division II school with an enrollment under 5,000.
How is this rookie playing a home opener?
Stefanski’s quarterbacks are all injured. Penix Jr. has recovered from a season-ending injury but isn’t ready yet. Tua Tagovailoa, the veteran signing to compete with Penix, was injured in camp and hasn’t started a regular-season game.
The Falcons hope either quarterback gets healthy soon, because Strand and Rush look unplayable in Stefanski’s system. They face a tough stretch: Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, followed by Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints in early October.
With London, Robinson, and Pitts, the offense looked like a dream last year, even with limited QB play. Stefanski took early-career Baker Mayfield to a playoff win over the Steelers and helped Joe Flacco win Comeback Player of the Year with the Browns in 2023.
But that magic has vanished. After an 0-2 start, the honeymoon is over in Atlanta.
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, gives the Falcons the lowest chance of winning the NFC South. After Week 2, Atlanta is given just a 5% probability. Over the last few seasons, the division has been considered one of the weakest in football.
The Falcons better hope Tagovailoa or Penix returns soon, or memes will accumulate and the disrespect will continue.
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