To no surprise, Kevin Stefanski became the second head coaching domino to fall last night. As many expected, he would up joining the Falcons.
That call got here amidst considerable interest from other HC-needy teams across the league. Each the Ravens and Dolphins submitted requests for an in-person second interview in Stefanski’s case. Those wound up being moot, with a face-to-face Falcons meeting producing Saturday’s agreement.
Stefanski also found himself on the radar of the Raiders early within the hiring cycle. In accordance with Dianna Russini of The Athletic, nevertheless, the two-time Coach of the Yr withdrew from Vegas’ search process last week. That allowed him to show his attention elsewhere, with Falcons connections emerging briefly order.
The Giants’ top priority was landing John Harbaugh, and after initially agreeing to a hire his arrival was made official yesterday. Stefanski was viewed because the backup plan for each Latest York and Atlanta, so it got here as no surprise when links to the Falcons were strengthened once it became clear Harbaugh would join the Giants. Stefanski secured a five-year deal in Atlanta not long after his run with the Browns got here to an end.
The Raiders are one among seven teams which still have a gap at the pinnacle coaching position as things stand. The Pete Carroll era ended on ‘Black Monday,’ along with his firing coming within the wake of a 3-14 campaign. Vegas owns the primary overall pick in April’s draft, but otherwise the Raiders’ roster faces quite a few questions. It’ll be interesting to see what the team’s list of finalists looks like because it takes shape over the approaching days.
Several initial interviews took place last week, but up to now the one candidate to rearrange a follow-up meeting is Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Others will soon join him, but even within the absence of his Falcons hire Stefanski wouldn’t have been among the many staffers to talk with Vegas for a second time.