If you’re going to move on from a very good offensive line coach, it’s always a good idea to replace him with a living legend. That’s the route the Falcons have taken, moving on from Dwayne Ledford and
bringing Bill Callahan aboard.
The team announced the addition, which had been widely expected, on Tuesday morning.
Callahan, who will turn 70 in late July, has been coaching offensive lines in the NFL since 1995, with a four year break as the head coach of Nebraska in there in the early 2000s and with a stint as the Raiders offensive coordinator and head coach and interim head coach for the Commanders. He has a wealth of experience and has coached up legendary players like Trent Williams, the late, great Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, D’Brickashaw Fergson, Tyron Smith, and Zack Martin along the way. As the team’s article notes, Stefanski has praised Callahan for his teaching style and knowledge and was undoubtedly excited to get him back after Bill followed his son Brian to Tennessee for an ill-fated two year-stint with the Titans after the 2023 season in Cleveland.
In Atlanta, Callahan will be overseeing a line that’s likely to be in some flux. He’ll get to coach the phenomenal Chris Lindstrom and try to help Matthew Bergeron go from solid left guard to Pro Bowler, but the Falcons need to decide if they’re going to bring back starting tackles Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary and whether they’re rolling with Ryan Neuzil again at center. They’re likely to replace at least one of that trio, if not more, and Callahan will be tasked with ensuring cohesion and a high level of play to keep the offense rolling under Stefanski. He’s certainly capable of doing just that; the only question mark with him is how much longer he’ll continue to coach given his age.
While it’s tough to lose Ledford—I’ll have an article on his tenure later this week—it’s difficult to quibble with making the move for Callahan, who is both familiar with Stefanski and has proven to be one of the league’s premier coaches at basically every stop he’s ever been at. With the Falcons needing to at least tweak their offensive line and scheme for 2026 and beyond, getting Callahan in the building to coach up the team’s current options and oversee a forward-looking shift is a big plus.
