Jan. 20, 2026, 7:10 p.m. ET
The Cleveland Browns look unrecognizable from where they were in 2020, their playoff season with head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield at the helm.
Everyone knows the fallout since that season. Mayfield was later traded by the Browns for a fifth round pick, bounced around a bit, and then landed on his feet with the Buccaneers (back in a prove-it year again). Stefanski went on to lead the Browns to one more playoff appearance and won another NFL Coach of the Year award.
Now, the two are back in the same division after Stefanski was hired by the Atlanta Falcons, and it seems as though there is no love lost from one side of the equation. Mayfield took the time to quote a tweet from an Atlanta beat writer, who called Mayfield’s time in Cleveland a failure.
Mayfield responded:
“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.”
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The irony here, however, is that Mayfield enters a contract season with the Buccaneers and is not likely to get a new deal before the start of the season, given his play in 2025. Does this sound familiar yet? Like the Browns’ 2021 season and subsequent handling of Mayfield?
Get the popcorn ready.