Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski are back in the NFC South spotlight. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback didn’t shy away from discussing his past with his former head coach, now a divisional rival leading the Atlanta Falcons. However, far from adding fuel to the fire, Mayfield himself downplayed the situation.
It all started with a social media post on January 20. Mayfield took a jab at Kevin Stefanski after it was confirmed they would face each other twice a year in the division. The quarterback’s time with the Cleveland Browns had ended abruptly, and that departure still seemed to be weighing heavily.
“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.”
But in recent comments during Super Bowl LX week, the quarterback downplayed the situation: “There are things there, but it’s not like there’s any beef. When you meet someone, you always want to beat them, whether the relationship is good or bad.”
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The number one pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield began his time in Cleveland with 27 touchdown passes as a rookie, a record at the time. With Stefanski as his third head coach, he led the Browns to their first playoff appearance in nearly 20 years and their first postseason victory since 1994.
However, the 2021 season was an uphill battle. Injuries and an 8-9 record precipitated his departure. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers and later spent time with the Los Angeles Rams before finding stability in Tampa Bay.
So far, he has only faced Stefanski once since his departure: in Week 1 of 2022, as Carolina’s quarterback against Cleveland. He threw for 235 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 26-24 loss.
Revenge?
Mayfield was also clear about the emotional component of the upcoming divisional matches. He doesn’t define them as personal revenge games, but he does acknowledge that losing the division hurt.
The Falcons played a key role in Tampa Bay missing the playoffs in 2025. Their Week 18 victory over the New Orleans Saints allowed the Panthers to take the NFC South by tiebreaker.
“We lost the division for the first time in four or five years. So any divisional game can feel like a rematch,” Mayfield explained.
The Perfect Fit
After eight seasons and several franchises, Mayfield feels he has found his place. The quarterback insisted that success depends on the environment, the organization, and the structural support surrounding the player.
In Tampa Bay, he feels he has that ideal setting. And now, the schedule offers him two annual reunions with an old acquaintance.
The story between Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski is no longer about settling scores. It’s pure competition. And in the NFC South, every duel counts for double.
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This article was translated from it’s original form in Spanish to English via META AI.
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