Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield had some issues with comments made by an Atlanta Falcons reporter D. Orlando Ledbetter.
“Kevin Stefanski had a dumpster fire at quarterback in Cleveland — Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson failed, which started a chain reaction to 11 other starters. QB Shedeur Sanders closed out last season with seven starts,” Ledbetter tweeted on X, January 20.
Mayfield defended himself in response while taking a shot at new Falcons Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.
“Failed is quite the reach pal,” Mayfield responded in a repost of D. Orlando Ledbetter’s comments. “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 spent two years with Kevin Stefanski during his time with the Cleveland Browns.
Baker Mayfield Has a Losing Record Against the Atlanta Falcons
Since Mayfield’s arrival in Tampa Bay, the $100 Million quarterback has a 2-4 record against the Falcons.
“Since taking over in Tampa Bay, Mayfield is just 2-4 against the Falcons, including being swept in 2024,” Arkesh Ray wrote in Sports Illustrated article. “Regardless, it is clear that Baker Mayfield will have his games with the Falcons circled on his calendar. Falcons-Buccaneers matchups have consistently come down to the wire in recent years, and this renewed Mayfield vs. Stefanski subplot only adds more intrigue and hatred, heading into the 2026 season.”
The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 23-20 in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The Falcons then received their revenge in Week 15 off a brilliant Kyle Pitts performance. Atlanta won the matchup 29-28.
Kevin Stefanski’s Change of Scenery
“This is no longer just a divisional rivalry. It’s personal history packed into 60 minutes of football,” Ashlie Abrahams wrote in an article via BucsWire. “For Stefanski, Atlanta represents a chance to reset the narrative after Cleveland. For Mayfield, it’s a reminder that some chapters don’t stay closed; they simply lie dormant until the opportunity arises to write the ending.”
After firing Raheem Morris, Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, January 17. Stefanski will look to steer Atlanta in the right direction after being fired by the Cleveland Browns.
The Atlanta Falcons will hold an introductory press conference with new head coach Kevin Stefanski on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
“The Falcons fired Raheem Morris after going 16-18 in two seasons as head coach. While Morris had a better record than Stefanski over the last two years, the Browns’ offense was nowhere near as talented. Team owner Arthur Blank was sick of seeing his young talent miss the playoffs.” Matt Urben wrote in a Falcons Wire article.
Since Stefanski’s hiring, the Falcons also brought back defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and hired Bill Callahan as their new offensive line coach.
The new Falcons coach will work with talents such as All-Pro Running Back Bijan Robinson, Wide Receiver Drake London, and Tight-End Kyle Pitts.
Kevin Stefanski is a two-time coach of the year with the Cleveland Browns. As an offensive mind, he has an opportunity to thrive with a very talented Atlanta Falcons offense to compete with Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
Baker Mayfield Adds Fuel to Bucs-Falcons Rivalry