After being let go by the Cleveland Browns, the Atlanta Falcons made the decision to hire Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach.
Now, there’s a new rivalry in the division: Stefanski versus his former quarterback in Cleveland, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has his feelings very well known against Stefanski, which has led Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles to speak out.
Todd Bowles Comments on Baker Mayfield-Kevin Stefanski Beef
The Mayfield-Stefanski beef stems from the quarterback’s time in Cleveland, more so, what led to the end of it.
Mayfield was drafted by the Browns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, despite the NFL world thinking there were better quarterback prospects. Over 60 games with the Browns in his career, he averaged 61.6% completion rate for 14,125 passing yards, 92 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions. He also rushed for 571 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite Mayfield’s play, the team decided to take a swing to put their team at the next level. In March 2022, the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in exchange for three first-round picks and three later-round picks. Mayfield was sent packing from Cleveland, leaving with a sour taste in his mouth.
Following the trade, Mayfield played with the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers before finding his long-term home in Tampa Bay.
In three seasons with the Buccaneers, Mayfield has an average impact score of 78.7 in PFSN’s NFL Quarterback Impact Metric. In 51 games, he has 12,237 passing yards, 95 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions with a completion percentage of 66.3%. He’s also rushed for 923 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Now, Mayfield will have the chance to get revenge against his former coach twice a year when the Buccaneers and the Falcons play.
Sports journalist Josina Anderson had the chance to sit down with Buccaneers head coach Bowles, where she asked the following:
“Your quarterback made some uh interesting comments just looking like he is uh welcoming the competition of his old coach. What do you think of just knowing what he [Stefanski] represents offensively coming into the division and Baker Mayfield seeming like he’s very pumped to face his old coach when you guys have those division games?”
In response, Bowles said:
“Well, I think that’s something that they have to figure out from that standpoint. And since we going to use it, you use a boxing match where they get in the ring with each other and knock each other out. We can do that UFC match. You know, we’re going to back our guy Baker Mayfield and we look like them. And I’m sure they’re going to back their coach as well and come out playing. So, it’s a division game. It’s already going to be a tough hard fought game. So, it just adds to it.”
MORE: Buccaneers Legend Lavonte David Reveals Wild Extent of Baker Mayfield’s Injuries Last Season
Bowles is right. This is already going to be a hard-fought division game between two NFC South teams; there’s just an added storyline. His team is going to back Mayfield just like the Falcons are going to back Stefanski.
