Mayfield Takes a Swing at Stefanski
Baker Mayfield, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seems to have lingering feelings about his time in Cleveland. After a tweet from an Atlanta journalist mentioned the struggles of Kevin Stefanski, the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Mayfield couldn’t help but respond.
He commented that Stefanski had been treated like “trash” by the Browns, despite being the team’s first overall pick in 2020 and guiding them to their first playoff appearance since 2002. It’s interesting how some folks perceive the same situation differently. Mayfield stood out as a key player during his tenure, so perhaps he feels particularly invested in how things unfolded.
During a media interaction, Mayfield took a shot at Stefanski, referring to a note that claimed both he and Deshaun Watson messed things up in Cleveland. With a touch of sarcasm, he expressed, “Still waiting for a text or call from Stefanski after being shipped like garbage. I can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” Already, it looks like a rivalry is brewing, even before Stefanski has had a chance to practice with his new team.
Stefanski’s exit from the Browns came after a challenging season, finishing with a 5-12 record. The Browns, uncertain about the future, decided they needed a change in leadership. In quick succession, Stefanski emerged as a highly sought-after candidate and has now signed on with the Falcons for a five-year term.
There’s no denying that Mayfield feels a bit sore about how his Cleveland journey wrapped up. Still, he seems to be finding his footing in Tampa Bay, adding extra fuel to his upcoming matches against the Falcons.
Back in 2020, when Stefanski came on board, the team managed an impressive turnaround; Mayfield led the Browns to an 11-5 record, earning his first playoff win. But things took a downturn, and after a less-than-stellar fourth season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers. It’s kind of wild how quickly a player’s fortunes can change in the NFL.
After bouncing around, including a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield found a new home in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are counting on him as they embark on a new chapter following Tom Brady’s retirement. In fact, they signed him to a three-year, $100 million deal, which is quite a statement of faith in him.
Mayfield seems to have come out alright after all he’s been through. Yet, you can sense that there’s a part of him that would have appreciated a more amicable send-off from Stefanski. Stefanski’s own record in Cleveland stands at 45-56 across 101 games, and now he looks ahead to working with new talent like quarterback Michael Penix and running back Bijan Robinson in Atlanta.
