FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are making some important moves by hiring Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. They’ve also decided to keep Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, which is great news for the team’s future.
Owner Arthur Blank mentioned in a recent press conference that he believes Ulbrich did a commendable job last season. “He really helped improve our defense,” Blank said, pointing out the significant increase in sacks.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ulbrich has signed a new three-year contract. This will mark a significant chapter for him, as he returns to the Falcons after four years with the New York Jets, where he served as defensive coordinator.
Ulbrich’s impact has been felt almost immediately. He’s known for his clear coaching style and an aggressive defensive strategy. Under his leadership, the Falcons’ defense saw a dramatic rise in performance, especially in pass rush.
Inside linebacker Josh Woods praised Ulbrich, saying, “He really created a strong culture. You could see it on the field.”
In 2025, the Falcons transformed their defense from near last in the league in sacks to second overall. They set a franchise record with 57 total sacks. Notably, 14 different players contributed to this achievement, making it a true team effort.
Safety Jessie Bates III highlighted how their teamwork evolved over the season. “We really figured out what Brich was calling, and it paid off,” he said.
The inclusion of rookies like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. also brought fresh talent to the team. Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks, the highest since Micah Parsons in 2021. Watts, another rookie, had five interceptions, helping the Falcons join a select group of teams with two rookies achieving such notable stats.
The defense overall finished sixth in the league with 16 interceptions and seventh with 23 total takeaways. Watts and Bates formed a strong safety duo, combining for eight interceptions.
Key players like A.J. Terrell and Kaden Elliss continued to shine under Ulbrich. Terrell forced difficult throws on over 35% of his targets, ranking him fourth among defenders. Meanwhile, Elliss was a standout linebacker with impressive stats across multiple categories.
Ulbrich also benefited from signing inside linebacker Divine Deablo. Despite a month-long injury, he was a key player in tackling and coverage, demonstrating his versatility.
While there’s still room for improvement in Atlanta’s defense, Ulbrich’s leadership gives fans a lot to be excited about. The team has a young, promising core ready to grow under his guidance, laying a solid foundation for the future.
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News,Jeff Ulbrich,Jessie Bates III,James Pearce Jr.,Xavier Watts,Jalon Walker
