There’s no love lost between the Falcons and their division rivals, but this next chapter under Kevin Stefanski has clearly raised the temperature between Atlanta and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — with Baker Mayfield taking a shot at his former head coach.
Failed is quite the reach pal. 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. https://t.co/jUUsYkvlOC
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 20, 2026
Kevin Stefanski took over the Cleveland Browns in 2022 — Mayfield’s third season in the league — and the two immediately found success together. Mayfield threw 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, easily the best numbers of his career at that point, while Stefanski earned Coach of the Year honors and led the Browns to the playoffs.
The following season was a different story. Injuries limited Mayfield to just 14 games, and his production dipped noticeably, with 17 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions. That downturn pushed Cleveland to pursue Deshaun Watson the following offseason, leaving Mayfield searching for a new opportunity.
Eventually, Mayfield landed as a backup with the Panthers before working his way back into a starting role with the Buccaneers, where he’s fully revived his career. But it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten the first organization — and coach — that seemingly gave up on him at the NFL level.
From the Falcons’ perspective, there’s probably no need to put too much stock into Mayfield’s comments. He’s always been the type of player who feeds off a chip on his shoulder. He’s never going to forget the coaches who didn’t believe he could become what he is today, and that edge has played a major role in his development into a Pro Bowl quarterback.
That said, expect some fireworks when these two sides meet twice next season. Mayfield is the kind of player who rallies an entire locker room around him, and it will be on Stefanski and the rest of the Falcons’ coaching staff to make sure they’re ready to match that intensity when the time comes.
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Photographer: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
