Tommy Rees
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**Why Atlanta:** Rees' decision to follow Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta was an easy one. When Nick Saban retired from Alabama, Rees was serving as his coordinator. As he evaluated his next opportunity, Stefanski was the coach he wanted to work with — and for.
In the years since, the two have built a working relationship grounded in trust and mutual respect. Rees echoed a point Stefanski made during his introductory press conference weeks earlier: the two see the game through a similar lens. It's not identical, they've both acknowledged separately, but it complements each other well.
_"I am not afraid to challenge Kev on certain things, and Kev is not afraid to push back. For any healthy, working relationship you need to have that."_
**Thoughts on Michael Penix Jr.:** Like Stefanski, Rees is high on Penix, calling him someone he is "excited and eager" to help develop.
_"I think you are looking at a young player that's really hungry and eager to get back out there. And it's our jobs as coaches to put him into position to have success."_
Rees went on to outline the traits he believes are essential for a quarterback to lead a successful — and potentially high-scoring — unit. A quarterback, he said, must be a "high-level decision maker" who can limit mistakes in critical moments. It's the coaching staff's responsibility to help the player reach that level of confidence and command.
_"Let the quarterback feel that he has ownership of the offense as we grow in it so that he feels like he has really great control of what we are doing."_
**Play-action:** With public discussion surrounding the Falcons' play-action usage — along with their heavier reliance on pistol and shotgun formations in 2025 — Rees was asked about his philosophy on those elements, as well as his stance on operating from under center.
He explained that play-action and under-center elements have long been staples of the system he and Stefanski run.
_"There are definite benefits to being under center. That's been a huge part of the identity with Kevin going back throughout his career. It's been the identity as we have worked together, and it's something that we believed in."_
Rees added that while operating under center isn't the only way to "keep a defense in conflict," it remains a core principle of their offensive philosophy.
**Dissecting the Falcons' run game:** Rees is stepping into a run game that carries significant expectations, featuring Bijan Robinson and an experienced offensive line. He aligned with Stefanski's vision of blending the Falcons' wide-zone foundation with more gap-scheme concepts — an approach that aligns well with Robinson's collegiate background at Texas.
Rees said he is especially eager to lean on offensive line coach Bill Callahan as he refines the rushing attack.
_"I have known about Coach Callahan since I was a little kid. He's a legend in the coaching world. ... He brings such professionalism. You can feel the expertise in the run game. Very convicted about how things need to be done."_
Rees added that Callahan is part of an offensive staff he "could not feel stronger about." With multiple former play-callers in the room — including Callahan, Stefanski and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt — Rees has a deep well of experience to draw from.
_"As the younger guy in the room, it is exciting for me to be around guys who can make all of us better."_