At a Glance
- Baker Mayfield posted on social media that he never heard from Kevin Stefanski after the Browns traded him in 2022
- Stefanski was hired as the Falcons head coach on Saturday, setting up two NFC South matchups next season
- Mayfield called himself “a piece of garbage” in describing how he felt shipped out of Cleveland
- Why it matters: The public feud adds drama to the Buccaneers-Falcons rivalry for 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield publicly criticized new Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski on social media, claiming Stefanski never contacted him after the Browns traded him to Carolina in 2022.
The Social Media Call-Out
Mayfield’s post came Tuesday, three days after the Falcons announced Stefanski as their new head coach. The two will now face each other twice yearly in the NFC South.
“Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield wrote. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.”
The quarterback’s comments resurfaced old tensions from his Cleveland departure. The Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in 2018 after he won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma.
Cleveland Tenure and Breakthrough Season
Mayfield’s time in Cleveland showed both promise and inconsistency:
- 2018 rookie season: 3,725 passing yards and a then-NFL rookie record 27 touchdown passes
- 2019 season: 22 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions
- 2020 season: Led the Browns to their first playoff appearance in 17 years and first postseason victory in 26 seasons
The 2020 playoff run came during Stefanski’s first season as Browns head coach. Despite this success, Mayfield’s relationship with the organization deteriorated.
Trade and Career Revival
After the Browns traded him to Carolina in 2022, Mayfield’s career reached a crossroads. He found new life in Tampa Bay, where he:
- Led the Buccaneers to playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024
- Established himself as the team’s starting quarterback
- Built chemistry with Tampa Bay’s offensive system
The Buccaneers missed the 2025 postseason after a late-season collapse, but Mayfield’s resurgence in Tampa Bay contrasted sharply with his bitter Cleveland exit.
Stefanski’s New Chapter
Stefanski spent six seasons as Cleveland’s head coach before his firing after the 2025 season. The Falcons hired him less than two weeks later, making him their fourth head coach since 2019.
Atlanta’s coaching search ended quickly with Stefanski, who brings:
- Experience leading a playoff team
- Knowledge of NFC South opponents from his Cleveland tenure
- A reputation for offensive innovation
The Falcons finished the 2025 season with a record that placed them among more than a dozen teams seeking to improve their fortunes next season.
Rivalry Implications
Mayfield’s public criticism sets up an intriguing subplot for the 2026 season. The Buccaneers and Falcons will meet twice, with both games carrying additional significance due to:
- Mayfield’s personal history with Stefanski
- NFC South division standings implications
- The quarterback’s desire to prove himself against his former coach
The Las Vegas Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft after posting a 3-14 record, but the focus in Tampa Bay remains on Mayfield’s redemption narrative against his former franchise’s coach.
Key Takeaways
- Baker Mayfield used social media to express lingering resentment over his 2022 trade from Cleveland
- Kevin Stefanski’s hiring by Atlanta creates two guaranteed matchups against Mayfield’s Buccaneers next season
- The quarterback’s career revival in Tampa Bay adds stakes to the personal rivalry
- The public nature of Mayfield’s comments ensures this storyline will dominate coverage of Buccaneers-Falcons games
