The Atlanta Falcons have decided not to take any disciplinary action against their defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, following his son’s prank call to college quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the second night of the NFL draft. However, the NFL itself is still reviewing the situation. A spokesperson for the league confirmed via email that they have been in contact with the Falcons and are currently assessing the matter.
On Sunday afternoon, the Falcons released a statement clarifying that Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax Ulbrich, “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number” for Sanders. This information was found on an “open iPad” during a visit to his parents’ home. The nature of the incident raises questions about the security of draft contact information and the responsibilities of team personnel.
PFT has secured access to two communications sent to all NFL teams regarding the contact information for draft prospects, specifically mentioning Sanders. The first communication was a formal memo dated April 23, 2025, directed to all General Managers, Head Coaches, Player Personnel Directors, and Club IT Directors. This memo contained the contact numbers for 16 players who attended the draft in person, along with those for 24 players participating virtually, including Sanders. Additionally, it provided WhatsApp numbers for five players involved in the 2025 International Player Pathway Program.
On the same day, an email was sent to the “All Waivers NFL League,” which included the “new cell phone number beginning today” for Shedeur Sanders. This distribution list is widely circulated among coaches and personnel executives, which means Ulbrich was likely a recipient. It’s reasonable to deduce that Jax Ulbrich saw this email, which included only Sanders’s updated contact number—the very number called during the draft prank. The lingering question remains: when and how did Jax see it? Did the incident occur as the Falcons have explained?
The Falcons’ statement places the blame solely on Jax Ulbrich, suggesting that Jeff Ulbrich had no prior knowledge of his son’s intention to prank Sanders. This assertion aims to protect the defensive coordinator from any potential repercussions. However, this situation invites scrutiny regarding whether the NFL will accept Atlanta’s explanation or conduct a deeper investigation.
As the league navigates this unusual incident, it will be interesting to observe whether they impose any discipline on the Falcons or Jeff Ulbrich. Should no action be taken, some may interpret this as a sign of preferential treatment for the Falcons, particularly given Rich McKay's role as chairman of the Competition Committee.
As we await the NFL's decision, there are additional ongoing inquiries that may capture the league’s attention. For instance, there is curiosity surrounding the identity of the individual who pranked Colts tight end Tyler Warren on the first night of the draft, as well as who called a player approximately 30 minutes post-selection to inform him of a trade. Regardless of the outcomes, it is clear that this draft has been one of the most extraordinary in the history of the common draft era.
