At a Glance
- Baker Mayfield blasted new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski on social media Tuesday
- Mayfield claims Stefanski never contacted him after Cleveland traded him in 2022
- The two will now face each other twice a year in the NFC South
- Why it matters: Personal feud adds spice to divisional games and could fuel Mayfield’s performance
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield publicly called out Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski on social media, reigniting a feud that began when the Browns traded Mayfield in 2022.
Mayfield’s Social Media Blast
Mayfield posted on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday afternoon, hours after Stefanski’s hiring by Atlanta became official.
> “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.”
The post responded to a user who called Mayfield’s Cleveland tenure a “failure.” The quarterback fired back, rejecting that label and directing his frustration at Stefanski.
History Between Mayfield and Stefanski
The Browns selected Mayfield first overall in the 2018 draft after his Heisman-winning season at Oklahoma. His rookie numbers set records:
- 3,725 passing yards
- 27 touchdown passes (then an NFL rookie record)
In 2020, Stefanski’s first year as head coach, Mayfield led Cleveland to:
- First playoff berth in 17 years
- First postseason victory in 26 years
Despite the success, Mayfield’s consistency wavered. In 2019 he threw:
- 22 touchdowns
- 21 interceptions
He often clashed with media critics and never shied from defending his play.
Trade and Aftermath
In July 2022 the Browns traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. He says he never heard from Stefanski after the deal.
Mayfield’s career stalled in Carolina, but he revived it in Tampa Bay, guiding the Buccaneers to playoff berths in 2023 and 2024. A late-season slide this year kept the Bucs out of the 2026 postseason.
Stefanski’s Path to Atlanta
Cleveland fired Stefanski after six seasons. The Falcons hired him less than two weeks later, setting up at least two annual meetings with Mayfield in the NFC South.
League-Wide Context
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick after finishing 3-14. More than a dozen other teams enter the offseason seeking turnaround moves.
Key Takeaways
- Mayfield’s public grievance ensures every Bucs-Falcons game will carry extra storylines
- Stefanski has not responded publicly to the quarterback’s accusations
- Divisional matchups next season now feature a personal vendetta alongside playoff implications
