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Falcons 2026 schedule features a number 'revenge' games

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 12:03 PM ET

Atlanta is guaranteed two heated meetings with New Orleans every season, but the Falcons’ 2026 schedule also includes several intriguing matchups that could qualify as “revenge” games for one reason or another.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, for example, wasted no time taking a shot at his former head coach Kevin Stefanski after Stefanski landed the job in Atlanta.

“Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield said in response to the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter on Twitter/X. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.”

Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach. https://t.co/jUUsYkvlOC

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 20, 2026

Nobody plays with a chip on their shoulder quite like Baker Mayfield. He’s carried that mentality since his college days and hasn’t hesitated to call out former coaches along the way, whether the split was entirely their decision or not. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that — in fact, that edge has helped shape him into the quarterback he is today.

Still, pinning everything that went wrong in Cleveland on Kevin Stefanski is a bit rich. That breakup had layers, and Mayfield’s inconsistent play in his final season with the Browns was certainly part of it. Regardless of where the blame falls, there will be some added juice when these teams meet twice next season.

The Falcons will also travel to Cleveland in 2026, marking Stefanski’s first game against his former team since his departure. On the other side, the Falcons will host the 49ers, which will double as Raheem Morris’ first trip back to Atlanta since being fired. Morris is now leading San Francisco’s defense, reuniting with Kyle Shanahan. Both were key members of the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl staff, adding another layer of intrigue to that matchup.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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