The Atlanta Falcons have made it clear that they want their next head coach to retain Jeff Ulbrich, and for good reason. Under Ulbrich’s guidance, the team achieved a franchise record for sacks in a single season, made significant improvements in various defensive metrics, and recorded a remarkable stretch of games allowing fewer than 200 passing yards. This success came during a season in which expectations were tempered, particularly due to acknowledged weaknesses in the defensive roster.
With the hiring of Kevin Stefanski, it has been confirmed that Ulbrich will remain with the team, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. This decision brings a sense of stability to the Falcons’ defense, allowing them to build upon the positive momentum of the previous season and ideally avoiding the issues that arose from the coaching changes seen in 2023 and 2024.
Ulbrich first took on the role of defensive coordinator for Atlanta in 2020, following a promotion under interim coach Raheem Morris. Although his inaugural season did not yield stellar results, the defense improved remarkably compared to the struggles experienced under Dan Quinn and Morris during the early part of that same season. After a stint with the New York Jets, where his defenses frequently ranked in the top five for yardage allowed, Ulbrich moved back to Atlanta, where he reunited with Morris in 2025 to revitalize a struggling defense.
For Ulbrich to secure his position in the long term or upgrade it to a permanent head coaching role, he must further elevate the level of play within the Falcons’ defense in 2026 and beyond. This includes ensuring that the team has capable backups available to mitigate injuries, which hampered their performance last season. To facilitate this, it will be essential for the Falcons to enhance the roster to support Ulbrich’s defense. Yet, with promising talents emerging, including standout rookie safety Xavier Watts and a developing pass rush, there is optimism that Ulbrich and his team can maximize the potential of their current roster.
The future looks bright for the Falcons as they aim to build on a solid foundation under Ulbrich’s leadership, bringing hope for a stronger performance in the upcoming seasons.