Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has hit out at his former head coach Kevin Stefanski, accusing him of treating him like 'garbage' during their time together at the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield, who played under Stefanski from 2020 to 2021, made the comments after Stefanski was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.
The controversy began when a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Stefanski as saying both Mayfield and Deshaun Watson had 'failed' in Cleveland. Mayfield responded on social media on Tuesday, writing: '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 was drafted first overall by the Browns in 2018 and led the team to its first playoff win in 26 years during Stefanski's debut season in 2020. However, inconsistency and injuries led to his trade to the Carolina Panthers in 2022. After stints with the Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield revived his career with the Buccaneers, earning two Pro Bowl selections and leading Tampa Bay 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 quickly hired by the Falcons. The two will now face each other twice a season as NFC South rivals.
