Baker Mayfield, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, recently addressed the buzz surrounding his relationship with former coach Kevin Stefanski. After a challenging 5-12 season, Stefanski was let go by the Cleveland Browns and has now taken the helm of the Atlanta Falcons. This sets the stage for an intriguing divisional rivalry with Mayfield and the Bucs.
Mayfield, a two-time Pro Bowler, spoke with Sports Illustrated to clear the air, emphasizing that while there might be some history, there's no lingering animosity. "There's stuff there, but it's not like it's beef," Mayfield explained. "We've worked together, and anytime you know someone, you want to beat them, regardless of the relationship."
Mayfield further elaborated on the competitive nature of divisional games, noting, "Not a revenge game in the sense of Atlanta, but we lost the division for the first time in four or five years, so any divisional game will feel like a revenge game."
The quarterback's competitive spirit was sparked last month following a tweet where he responded to comments from Falcons beat writer D. Orlando.
Orlando suggested Stefanski struggled in Cleveland due to a "failing quarterback room," naming Mayfield as part of the issue. Mayfield didn't hold back, expressing his eagerness to face Stefanski and the Falcons: "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."
Mayfield's journey has been eventful since being drafted first overall by the Browns in 2018. He amassed 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns over four seasons before being traded to the Panthers in 2022. After a brief stint with the Rams, he joined the Buccaneers in 2023 on a one-year deal and later secured a three-year extension worth up to $100 million in 2024.
Kevin Stefanski, now leading the Falcons, addressed the situation during his introductory press conference. He downplayed any tension, stating, "Baker's somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person.
I love rivalries in sports, and obviously, Buccaneers-Falcons have a great rivalry. It's something I'm excited about."
In the 2025 season, Mayfield and the Buccaneers finished second in the NFC South with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs. Despite the challenges, Mayfield put up impressive numbers with 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns, setting the stage for an exciting future in Tampa Bay.