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Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield clarified his beef with Kevin Stefanski.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield addressed lingering speculation about his relationship with Kevin Stefanski, pushing back on the idea that there is real “beef” between the two following a brief social media exchange earlier this offseason.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick by the Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent four seasons in Cleveland and played two years under Stefanski. While the partnership produced mixed on-field results, the relationship ultimately ended on a sour note when the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and dealt Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
The topic resurfaced this offseason after Stefanski was dismissed by Cleveland and hired as the Atlanta Falcons‘ head coach. The move sets up twice-yearly matchups with Mayfield, now the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ex-Browns QB Baker Mayfield Eager to Face Kevin Stefanski
The exchange began when D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution posted a message referencing Stefanski’s time in Cleveland.
“Falcons’ 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,” Ledbetter wrote. “QB Shedeur Sanders closed out last season with seven starts.”
Mayfield quickly fired back, taking exception to the characterization.
“Failed is quite the reach pal,” Mayfield replied. “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.”
Despite the pointed response, Mayfield downplayed the situation while speaking on radio row ahead of Super Bowl LX in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
“There’s stuff there, but it’s not like it’s beef,” Mayfield said. “We’ve worked together. Anytime you know somebody, you want to beat them — whether it’s a good or bad relationship.”
Stefanski also downplayed the “beef” with Mayfield.
“I love rivalries,” Stefanski said. “I wouldn’t get into the specifics of the hype around things other than to say I have a ton of respect for Baker as a player and as a person.”
Mayfield has never been shy to speak his mind and has found motivation in being doubted. Despite playing down the situation, the Falcons-Bucs matchup will be must-see television next season.
Browns Quarterback Situation Remains Uncertain
Stefanski and Mayfield are now gone, but the Browns are no closer to finding a long-term solution at the quarterback position. The blockbuster trade for Watson that sent Mayfield out of town has been a failure. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has even characterized it as a big “swing and miss.”
The Browns are set to enter next season with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract. The team is also expected to explore its options through free agency, the draft, and the trade market.
Watson has gone 9-10 as the starter in Cleveland, missing significant time due to a lengthy suspension and multiple season-ending injuries. Most recently, he missed all of last season recovering from a pair of Achilles surgeries.
Despite his rough stretch in Cleveland, new head coach Todd Monken appears intrigued by Watson.
“You’ve got two young players that still have a long way to go in terms of development, and that’s part of the learning curve in the NFL,” Monken said, referencing Sanders and Gabriel. “And then you’ve got a player like Deshaun, who’s coming back from injury and at one time was a Pro Bowl player, and an elite player in this league, that we would love to tap back into that.”
Watson hasn’t played a full season since 2020, when he was last named a Pro Bowler. In Cleveland, he’s passed for 3,3365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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