Former Green Bay Packers coach joins Atlanta Falcons for the 2026 NFL season

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Feb 1, 2026 1:10 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers knew that they would have to replace several coaches this off-season. Of course, Matt LaFleur said he expected defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to get a head coaching job during this cycle, so it came as no surprise to the team when he did. Hafley, of course, is the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

It was also not surprising that he took multiple Packers coaches with him, which has led to Green Bay filling holes on their staff, particularly on defense.

But one position that, perhaps, the Packers did not think they would need to fill was the quarterback coach role. Sean Mannion, despite just two years of NFL coaching experience, was just hired as the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Former Green Bay Packers QB coach Alex Van Pelt has been hired by the Atlanta Falcons

Former Green Bay Packers coach joins Atlanta Falcons for the 2026 NFL season 1 Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While there have been several names thrown around for who could replace Mannion as the Green Bay quarterback coach, other former Packers offensive coaches have been getting snatched up around the NFL.

One of these is former quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, who has just been hired by the Atlanta Falcons:

The Falcons are hiring Alex Van Pelt as their quarterbacks coach, per source.

Another reunion with Kevin Stefanski, who had Van Pelt as his offensive coordinator in Cleveland from 2020-23. pic.twitter.com/xcpVk54vud

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2026

Van Pelt was the Packers quarterbacks coach from 2014-2017, coaching the position when Aaron Rodgers won his second NFL MVP Award. Previously, he was Green Bay’s running backs coach from 2012-2013.

After leaving the Packers when his contract expired, Van Pelt was the quarterbacks coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2018-2019.

In 2020, he was hired by Kevin Stefanski, now the Falcons head coach, to be the offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. He spent the 2024 NFL season as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, and 2025 as a senior assistant with the Los Angeles Rams.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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