{"id":703411,"date":"2026-01-25T07:35:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T07:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/703411\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T07:35:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T07:35:43","slug":"joe-thomas-defends-kevin-stefanski-from-mayfield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/703411\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Thomas defends Kevin Stefanski from Mayfield"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Jan. 22, 2026, 11:40 a.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a>‘ decision to hire head coach Kevin Stefanski is already stirring up drama around the NFC South. While many have praised the Falcons for hiring the former Cleveland Browns<\/a> head coach, one of Stefanski’s former players was not impressed.<\/p>\n

Buccaneers<\/a> quarterback Baker Mayfield, who spent two years with Stefanski in Cleveland, is no fan of his former coach. Mayfield called out Stefanski for trading him away like “a piece of garbage” and failing to call\/text once the trade was complete.<\/p>\n

“Still waiting on a text\/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield wrote<\/a> on social media. “Can\u2019t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.”<\/p>\n

However, Browns legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas came to Stefanski’s defense on Wednesday. Thomas, who spent his entire 11-year career as Cleveland’s starting left tackle, hit back against Mayfield on social media.<\/p>\n

“I could be wrong… but I’ve heard that communication is a 2-way street and there were no laws against you (Baker) sending Stefanski a text or calling him after you got traded,” wrote Thomas.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

For the record, Thomas never played for Stefanski. He retired in 2017 before Stefanski was hired by the Browns as head coach in 2020. Nonetheless, Thomas is one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history and it’s interesting that he stood up for Stefanski when nobody else appeared willing to do so.<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers took the rivalry to another level by hiring former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson for the same position in Tampa Bay. Robinson and Mayfield will get to face Stefanski and the Falcons twice a year. Fans better get their popcorn ready.<\/p>\n

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