There’s no love lost between Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski - and with Stefanski now officially introduced as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the NFC South just got a little spicier.
Earlier this month, Mayfield didn’t hold back on social media, taking a not-so-subtle jab at Stefanski and making it clear he’s looking forward to seeing the new Falcons coach “twice a year.” That’s not just talk - that’s a quarterback who’s still carrying some serious baggage from their shared time in Cleveland.
So when Stefanski took the podium for his first press conference in Atlanta, the inevitable question came up: What did he make of Mayfield’s pointed comment?
“Baker’s somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person,” Stefanski said. “I love rivalries in sports, and, obviously, Buccaneers-Falcons have a great rivalry. It’s something that I’m excited about.”
Stefanski didn’t bite on the drama, keeping things professional and steering clear of any fireworks. But make no mistake - there’s history here.
Back in January 2022, Mayfield was traded from the Browns to the Panthers, a move he later described as being treated “like a piece of garbage.” He’s since suggested that Stefanski played a role in that exit, and the two reportedly had major friction during the 2021 season in Cleveland. That was the year things unraveled for the Browns, and just a few months later, the team went all-in on Deshaun Watson - trading for the controversial quarterback and handing him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal.
Since then, the Browns have had little to show for that gamble. Watson has struggled to stay on the field and failed to live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, Mayfield has found new life in Tampa Bay, leading the Buccaneers to back-to-back NFC South titles in 2023 and 2024. That’s not just a comeback - that’s a statement.
The only time Mayfield has faced a Stefanski-coached team since the trade came in Week 1 of the 2022 season, when his Panthers lost to the Browns. Now, with Stefanski landing in Atlanta, the stage is set for a pair of regular-season matchups that promise plenty of tension - and maybe a little extra motivation on both sidelines.
For his part, Stefanski made it clear that he’s all in on his new role. “Atlanta is where I wanted to be,” he told reporters. It’s a fresh start for the former Browns coach, but he won’t be easing into the job - not with Mayfield and the Bucs waiting.
The NFL schedule doesn’t drop until later this spring, but you can bet Mayfield already has those Falcons games circled. Twice a year, the quarterback who felt discarded will get his shot at the coach he believes helped push him out the door.
And Stefanski? He’ll be tasked with proving he can build something new in Atlanta - while keeping Mayfield and the Bucs from running the division again.
Rivalries are built on moments like these. And come fall, this one might just be must-see TV.