The ongoing tension between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his former coach, Kevin Stefanski, has reached a boiling point following a series of public comments. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Mayfield took to social media to express his lingering resentment over how his tenure with the Cleveland Browns ended in 2022.
The friction was reignited after an Atlanta-based reporter suggested that Stefanski’s time in Cleveland was a dumpster fire at the quarterback position. Mayfield quickly fired back on X, defending his record and calling the “failed” label a major reach.
This public outburst comes at a significant time, as the Atlanta Falcons recently hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Since the Buccaneers and Falcons are divisional rivals in the NFC South, Mayfield and Stefanski are now scheduled to face each other at least twice every year.
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Baker Mayfield Claims Kevin Stefanski Treated Him “Like A Piece Of Garbage”
Baker Mayfield has launched a blistering attack on Kevin Stefanski, shedding new light on the breakdown of their relationship in Cleveland. The star quarterback feels that his contributions were quickly forgotten once the team decided to pursue other options.
According to Mayfield, the lack of communication from Stefanski following the 2022 trade was the most hurtful part of the experience. While he acknowledged the business side of the NFL, he expected a baseline level of respect from a head coach he had fought for on the field, often while playing through severe injuries.
The timing of these remarks has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, especially with Stefanski taking over the reins in Atlanta. Fans and analysts are now looking back at the 2021 season, where Mayfield played with a torn labrum, as the moment where the relationship began to crumble.
Former Browns QB Delivers Scathing Critique Of Past Treatment In Cleveland
In a move that has reignited one of the NFL’s most famous departures, Baker Mayfield has delivered a scathing critique of his former head coach and the Cleveland Browns organization. Mayfield’s latest comments serve as a reminder of the chaotic 2022 offseason when the team essentially replaced him with Deshaun Watson while he was still on the roster.
Mayfield’s frustration isn’t just about being traded; it’s about the narrative that he failed during his time in Cleveland. He points to his 2020 season, where he threw for over 3,500 yards and led the team to an 11-5 record, as proof that he was the right man for the job when healthy.
As Stefanski prepares for his first season with the Atlanta Falcons, he will undoubtedly be asked about Mayfield’s comments. While Stefanski has historically avoided public drama, the intensity of Mayfield’s garbage remark makes it difficult to ignore. For NFL fans, the drama adds a layer of excitement to the NFC South rivalry.
Published: Jan 21, 2026 10:05 am