The Atlanta Falcons have hired former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN , a move that could have significant implications for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their coaching search.
Stefanski had emerged as a top candidate of the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Saturday, when he had a second interview with the team, the only candidate that has a second interview scheduled.
The Steelers have not shown any interest in Stefanski, who gave the team fits as the head coach of the Browns, but the Falcons hiring him could still have a large impact on the Steelers' process.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before a game on Nov. 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Since firing head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons have interviewed or have requested to interview several candidates that overlap with the Steelers' search, including Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero , Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley , Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver .
With the Steelers not showing interest in Stefanski, the Falcons hiring him could aid their process, when it comes to the availability of the coaches that the Steelers have identified as targets.
The Steelers are playing catch-up, as the only one of the nine NFL teams this offseason with a head coaching vacancy that made the postseason. Most of the other teams have already completed most of their first round of interviews, with the Steelers just beginning theirs on Friday, so the Steelers will have to deal with other teams' hirings impacting their process.
Stefanski is the second coach to be officially hired in this coaching cycle. The New York Giants officially announced the hiring of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh earlier on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Falcons Hire Kevin Stefanski, Helping Steelers Search
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