Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has criticised his former head coach Kevin Stefanski, saying the Cleveland Browns treated him like 'garbage'. Mayfield, who played under Stefanski for two seasons, reacted angrily to comments attributed to Stefanski that both Mayfield and Deshaun Watson had 'failed' in Cleveland.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Mayfield wrote: '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.' The two are now set to face each other twice a season after Stefanski was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.
Mayfield was drafted first overall by the Browns in 2018 and led them to their first playoff appearance in 17 years in 2020, as well as their first postseason victory in 26 seasons. However, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2022 after struggling with consistency. He later revived his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning two Pro Bowl selections and leading the team to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024.
Stefanski, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, was fired by the Browns after six seasons and hired by the Falcons less than two weeks later.
