The Atlanta Falcons have retained Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator after hiring Kevin Stefanski as the franchise’s next head coach over the weekend.Owner Arthur Blank said during his end-of-season press conference that while he would not dictate staffing decisions to a new head coach, he strongly recommended Ulbrich remain in Atlanta.“Jeff Ulbrich, in my view, he did a really fine job for us this year,” Blank said. “Certainly look at the record of sacks. And just the overall performance of the defense was definitely better than it’s been in the past.”NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Ulbrich agreed to terms on a new three-year contract.Ulbrich returned to the Falcons in 2025 after spending four seasons with the New York Jets, where he served as defensive coordinator under Robert Saleh and later took over as interim head coach following Saleh’s dismissal in October 2024.This marks Ulbrich’s second stint with Atlanta. He previously served as the team’s linebackers coach from 2015 to 2019 before being promoted to interim defensive coordinator following Dan Quinn’s firing during the 2020 season.The impact of Ulbrich’s return was immediate.After ranking second-to-last in the NFL in sacks in 2024, the Falcons surged to second overall in 2025, setting a franchise single-season record with 57 sacks. The production came by committee, with 14 different players recording at least one sack — tied for the most in the league.“I think he’s a heck of a coach,” linebacker Josh Woods said. “He created a heck of a culture. He developed a true connection with each and every one of the guys.”Veteran safety Jessie Bates III credited Ulbrich’s scheme and play-calling for the unit’s late-season surge.“I felt like late in the season we really caught a groove,” Bates said. “We really had a good feel about what Brich was calling and how we wanted to disguise things.”Atlanta’s defense also finished sixth in the league with 16 interceptions and seventh with 23 total takeaways.The 2025 season featured major contributions from a rookie class that included Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., along with the continued development of second-year linemen Brandon Dorlus and Ruke Orhorhoro.Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks, the most by a Falcons rookie since 2021 and second-most in franchise history. Watts, a Week 1 starter, added five interceptions in his rookie season. The pair became just the second rookie duo in NFL history to combine for at least 10 sacks and five interceptions in the same season.The Falcons’ veteran core also continued to shine. Cornerback A.J. Terrell ranked fourth in the league in forced tight-window throws, while linebacker Kaden Elliss finished second among linebackers in pressures and joined Tyrel Dodson as the only players in the NFL with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus tackles for loss, at least 3.5 sacks and an interception.Free agent signing Divine Deablo also made an impact, serving as a team leader in tackles while adding seven pass breakups despite missing a month with a forearm injury.With a young, ascending core and a defense that made one of the league’s biggest year-to-year jumps, the Falcons are betting on continuity to fuel continued growth.Ulbrich will now look to build on that foundation under Stefanski as Atlanta eyes a return to postseason contention.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. —

The Atlanta Falcons have retained Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator after hiring Kevin Stefanski as the franchise’s next head coach over the weekend.

Owner Arthur Blank said during his end-of-season press conference that while he would not dictate staffing decisions to a new head coach, he strongly recommended Ulbrich remain in Atlanta.

“Jeff Ulbrich, in my view, he did a really fine job for us this year,” Blank said. “Certainly look at the record of sacks. And just the overall performance of the defense was definitely better than it’s been in the past.”

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Ulbrich agreed to terms on a new three-year contract.

Ulbrich returned to the Falcons in 2025 after spending four seasons with the New York Jets, where he served as defensive coordinator under Robert Saleh and later took over as interim head coach following Saleh’s dismissal in October 2024.

This marks Ulbrich’s second stint with Atlanta. He previously served as the team’s linebackers coach from 2015 to 2019 before being promoted to interim defensive coordinator following Dan Quinn’s firing during the 2020 season.

The impact of Ulbrich’s return was immediate.

After ranking second-to-last in the NFL in sacks in 2024, the Falcons surged to second overall in 2025, setting a franchise single-season record with 57 sacks. The production came by committee, with 14 different players recording at least one sack — tied for the most in the league.

“I think he’s a heck of a coach,” linebacker Josh Woods said. “He created a heck of a culture. He developed a true connection with each and every one of the guys.”

Veteran safety Jessie Bates III credited Ulbrich’s scheme and play-calling for the unit’s late-season surge.

“I felt like late in the season we really caught a groove,” Bates said. “We really had a good feel about what Brich was calling and how we wanted to disguise things.”

Atlanta’s defense also finished sixth in the league with 16 interceptions and seventh with 23 total takeaways.

The 2025 season featured major contributions from a rookie class that included Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., along with the continued development of second-year linemen Brandon Dorlus and Ruke Orhorhoro.

Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks, the most by a Falcons rookie since 2021 and second-most in franchise history. Watts, a Week 1 starter, added five interceptions in his rookie season. The pair became just the second rookie duo in NFL history to combine for at least 10 sacks and five interceptions in the same season.

The Falcons’ veteran core also continued to shine. Cornerback A.J. Terrell ranked fourth in the league in forced tight-window throws, while linebacker Kaden Elliss finished second among linebackers in pressures and joined Tyrel Dodson as the only players in the NFL with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus tackles for loss, at least 3.5 sacks and an interception.

Free agent signing Divine Deablo also made an impact, serving as a team leader in tackles while adding seven pass breakups despite missing a month with a forearm injury.

With a young, ascending core and a defense that made one of the league’s biggest year-to-year jumps, the Falcons are betting on continuity to fuel continued growth.

Ulbrich will now look to build on that foundation under Stefanski as Atlanta eyes a return to postseason contention.