FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kevin Stefanski, hired two weeks ago as the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, continued to build his new staff Sunday by adding Tanner Engstrand as offensive passing game coordinator.
Engstrand was the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator this past season. The Jets and Engstrand agreed to part ways on Tuesday.
The addition of Engstrand came one day after Stefanski hired Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt joined previously hired offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as former Cleveland Browns assistants on the staff. Stefanski was Cleveland’s head coach the past six seasons before being fired by the Browns the day after the finale.
Stefanski was hired as coach on Jan. 17. The Falcons hired Ian Cunningham as general manager on Thursday after adding former longtime Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football, a position created in the wake of the firing of fifth-year GM Terry Fontenot and second-year head coach Raheem Morris hours after the finale to the team’s eighth straight losing season. Cunningham and Stefanski both report to Ryan, who led the searches that ended with their hires.
Van Pelt was a senior offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams this past season after serving as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots (2024) and the Browns (2020-23). He was the quarterbacks coach for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018-19 after holding multiple roles with the Green Bay Packers from 2012-17, including four seasons as the quarterbacks coach.
New York struggled on offense under Engstrand in 2025 and subpar quarterback play was a problem. Justin Fields, signed in the offseason, started only nine games before he was benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook started the final four games because of injuries to Fields and Taylor.
The Jets finished last in the NFL in passing yards and 29th in both total yards per game and points per game.
With the Falcons, Engstrand, Rees and Van Pelt will support Stefanski in emphasizing the development of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons attempt to end a streak of eight consecutive losing seasons.
Prior to New York, Engstrand spent five years with the Detroit Lions, including as passing game coordinator in the 2023-24 seasons, when they made back-to-back playoff appearances.
The Falcons on Sunday also added Tokunbo “Tumbo” Abanikanda as the team’s director of scouting. He joined the Falcons as a scouting assistant in 2012 before a series of promotions, including to national scout in 2021 and director, college scouting in 2024.