Baker Mayfield doesn’t seem to have the best memories of Kevin Stefanski. Recently, the Buccaneers quarterback took to social media to respond to a comment from an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, who described Mayfield’s experience with quarterbacks during Stefanski’s stint as an illustration of a “trash can attack.” Stefanski, hired over the weekend as the Falcons’ head coach, coached Mayfield during two seasons in Cleveland (2020 and 2021) before the Browns traded him to the Panthers.
In his response, Mayfield tweeted, “Failure is a pretty easy friend,” addressing D. Orlando Ledbetter, who framed the quarterback’s time in Cleveland as a “failure.” He added, “I’m still waiting for a text or call from him after I get shipped like trash. I can’t wait to see him twice a year, coach.”
Mayfield, drafted first overall in 2018, had a four-season run with the Browns that ended on a sour note, particularly after they acquired Deshaun Watson from the Texans in a controversial trade. This move ultimately led to Mayfield being shipped off.
After spending part of the 2022 season with the Panthers and Rams, he joined the Buccaneers in 2023 and has stayed with them since. His time in Cleveland is notably marked by leading the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years during the 2020 season, a high point amidst the challenges.
Unfortunately, the following year saw him struggle through a torn labrum, curbing the team’s early success. Now, with Stefanski coaching the Falcons, Mayfield looks ahead to facing his former coach twice next season, making for what should be some intriguing matchups between their teams.
While it seemed that Mayfield’s feelings about his departure from Cleveland might have softened over time, it appears he has been holding onto them, perhaps waiting for an opportunity to turn that experience into motivation.
