Baker Mayfield’s Unresolved Resentment: A New NFL Rivalry Emerges

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has reignited past tensions with former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who was recently appointed as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach. In a candid response to a reporter’s tweet about Stefanski’s quarterback challenges in Cleveland, Mayfield revealed his lingering resentment over how his departure from the Browns was handled. “Still waiting on a text/call from [Stefanski] after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield wrote, adding ominously, “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” This public statement has effectively turned what would be routine divisional matchups into personal vendettas, as the two will now face each other twice annually in the NFC South.

The roots of this conflict trace back to Mayfield’s journey as the Browns’ first overall pick in 2018. Initially, the partnership between Mayfield and Stefanski, who became Cleveland’s head coach in 2020, seemed promising. Their first season together resulted in an 11-5 record and the Browns’ first playoff appearance since 2002, including a wild-card round victory. This success created optimism throughout Cleveland that the franchise had finally found its quarterback-coach combination to build around. However, after a disappointing 6-8 follow-up season for Mayfield, the Browns made the controversial decision to trade for Deshaun Watson, effectively ending Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland without so much as a personal conversation from his coach about the decision – a slight that clearly still stings years later.

Mayfield’s post-Cleveland journey reads like a redemption story in progress. Traded to the Carolina Panthers, he won the starting job but was released after a 1-5 start. The Los Angeles Rams claimed him off waivers, where he made headlines by leading a come-from-behind victory just two days after joining the team. Though his time with the Rams was brief, it showcased his resilience and kept him in the conversation as a viable NFL starter. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took notice and signed him to replace the retiring Tom Brady – a decision that has paid dividends as Mayfield led them to the playoffs in his first season, earning a three-year, $100 million contract extension. Despite this professional resurgence, Mayfield’s comments make it clear that professional success hasn’t healed the personal wound of feeling discarded by Cleveland and Stefanski without proper acknowledgment.

The timing of this conflict adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming NFL season. Stefanski enters the Falcons organization after being dismissed by Cleveland following a 5-12 season, ending his Browns tenure with a 45-56 overall record. The Falcons, having invested in young talent like quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Bijan Robinson, are betting on Stefanski’s offensive acumen to develop their roster. Meanwhile, Mayfield has found stability in Tampa Bay, where he’s no longer fighting for his NFL future but instead establishing himself as a franchise quarterback. These parallel career resurrections will now intersect twice annually in what promises to be emotionally charged divisional matchups.

What makes this budding rivalry particularly compelling is how it exposes the human side of professional sports. Beyond statistics and game plans, Mayfield’s comments reveal the deeply personal nature of player-coach relationships and the emotional impact of organizational decisions. His description of being “shipped off like a piece of garbage” speaks to a feeling many professional athletes experience but rarely articulate so candidly – the disconnect between being treated as both invaluable human capital and disposable assets. The quarterback’s willingness to publicly express these feelings, even after finding success elsewhere, demonstrates how professional slights can linger regardless of subsequent achievements. For Mayfield, his current $100 million contract hasn’t erased the sting of feeling unceremoniously discarded by the organization that once selected him first overall.

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the Tampa Bay-Atlanta matchups have suddenly become must-watch affairs beyond their divisional significance. Fans and analysts will scrutinize every interaction between Mayfield and Stefanski, from pre-game handshakes to post-game comments. The football world will watch to see if Mayfield channels his resentment into exceptional on-field performances against Stefanski’s defense, or if Stefanski will craft game plans specifically designed to contain his former quarterback. Beyond the tactical chess match, however, lies a human drama about professional relationships, respect, and reconciliation. Whether this conflict escalates into a lasting grudge or eventually gives way to mutual understanding remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Mayfield has ensured that their first reunion on an NFL field will carry emotional weight far beyond the typical divisional rivalry.