Kevin Stefanski - Head Coach, falcons Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-18 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 18, 2026, Kevin Stefanski addressed the media during a press conference ahead of the Atlanta Falcons' upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. The session focused on the team's preparation and strategy as they prepare to face a division rival at home.
Transcript
Stefanski: All right, great challenge in front of us at our place first Panthers division opponent had a good practice out there. Was crisp which is what you want on a Friday? So please with the amount of work the guys are putting into this and understanding what it's gonna take in the game on Sunday because it's me physical. It's it's a great great Team on the other side well coached their sound and everything to do so got to be about our business on Sunday.
Stefanski: Quarterback wise Cooper will start Jack will be the backup. We'll continue like I've told you guys all along. We'll work through it. Feel good about where we are and feel good about putting a plan together to go find a way to win. And that's that's what we're charged to do. So with that I'll take any questions.
Reporter: Where's Cooper health wise right now?
Stefanski: I mean, I wouldn't speculate. I mean he's practicing so he's doing better.
Reporter: Has he been what you've been, you know The health lesson he was issued right his Snap counter practice was kind of an issue as well. Do you feel like all that, you know, he's healthier now He's had more reps than once do you feel like that alone is enough to help him elevate from how he played last week?
Stefanski: Yeah, you know, it's the National Football League. So you're gonna have some plays you're gonna have some moments You're gonna have some times that you don't play your best or you're not at your best and and you bounce back. So I expect nothing less from our football team. Not not just one person. So there's gonna be a plays that you want back or there's gonna be, you know, we're not gonna be perfect on any Sunday. But understand that that's why we work. That's why I put in the time. That's why you you do everything in your power to get ready to roll one Sunday.
Reporter: Kevin just to confirm Same plan as we want Michael and to not available?
Stefanski: Yeah, we'll work through all the particulars, but uh Cooper will start. Yeah, you know again, it's a progression feel really confident in in the plan feel really confident in what we've done and when Mike has done both on the field and medically and like he's told you like I've told you when he's ready. He'll be ready.
Reporter: Is there a chance he could play next week then?
Stefanski: There's a chance for anything. I mean, I'm not even there. I'm focused on this one.
Reporter: Normally, you wouldn't you would not want to happen, you know, Dave you want a short week though, right? Is that is that fair to say?
Stefanski: I'm not going to next week.
Reporter: Sorry if Jack has to play he's all good Like he is his ref count hasn't been too high would seem but he's gotten enough to work. He has to play he'd be ready?
Stefanski: Yeah, I mean all of our players who are on the active roster. We trust them. They're ready to go if they have to play.
Reporter: Yes, Oh AJ might be the third quarterback if necessary. We'll see if we get there.
Stefanski: AJ.
Reporter: Chris, are you optimistic about them?
Stefanski: Yeah, questionable. Let's work through it over the next 24 hours.
Reporter: Potentially How is a Zadarius kind of continuing acclimate with shoulder and is there you know increased snap counts in this game?
Stefanski: Yeah doing a good job. Like we've talked about Zadarius. He's continuing to be able to do more physically mentally. But he's a guy that we're counting on and has made a huge impact on the football team on and off the field. So we'll continue to bring his role along.
Reporter: How did you think that divine operated in the role with the green dot kind of the first time in the regular?
Stefanski: Yeah, did a very nice job and you know, that's that's no small feat. That's a not easy task when you're making sure you're getting the calls correctly. You're communicating throughout the entire front to back. So I thought divine did a really good job.
Reporter: And when you look at kind of what Bryce was able to do in week one a lot of the off scripts And I like it plays how much is plastering and kind of those out of?
Stefanski: Yeah, he's he's terrific. You know, I think very highly of the of the player you can make every throw and you see it on tape. He's got he processes really well from the pocket can get the ball to his guys really in all areas of the field and then when he does get outside of the pocket. He's a great player under control can can run it can wait to find people come open. So those off-schedule plays are a big part of his attack.
Reporter: Kevin Comes to this first game. I know her first home game. I know like time is of the essence Everything is so rationed out for you Do you allow yourself in the situation to kind of take some stuff in to know this is your first game at home? And just take a moment and like embrace?
Stefanski: Sure. Yeah. I mean you better do that every day, you know I think all of us better do that every day and have perspective and what we get to do professionally personally, so yeah, I it's it's not a small thing to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Like I take that very seriously. I take my job seriously. I take what I do every day I want to do the best I can for this football team and the fact that I get to coach this football team and get to be in front of our fans in that building. Yeah, I can't wait for it.
