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Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski responds to Baker Mayfield 'piece of garbage' shot over Cleveland exit

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones01/27/26brianjones_93

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski did not lash out at Baker Mayfield for his recent comments about his time with the Cleveland Browns. On Tuesday, Stefanski spoke to the media during his introductory press conference and was asked about Mayfield saying that he was shipped out of Cleveland like “a piece of garbage.”

“Baker’s somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person. I love rivalries in sports, and obviously, Buccaneers-Falcons have a great rivalry,” Kevin Stefanski said, per Maura Carey of the Associated Press. “It’s something that I’m excited about. But I would not get into the specifics of those type of things, other than to say I have a ton of respect for Baker as a player, as a person, that’s a great team with a great player.”

Last week, Mayfield went to X/Twitter to respond to a post by Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter. It was a link to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article that broke down the issues Stefankski had at the QB position when he was the Browns’ head coach. In the post, Ledbetter said that Mayfield and Deshaun Watson “failed,” which led to Mayfield responding.

Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield helped the Browns reach the playoffs in 2020

“Failed is quite the reach pal,” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB wrote. “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.”

For what it’s worth, Mayfield led the Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in 2020. He dealt with a shoulder injury in 2021, and the Browns traded to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season after the team acquired Watson.

Stefanski likely had nothing to do with the Browns trading Mayfield since ownership went after Watson by trading three first-round picks (six draft picks overall) to the Houston Texans and then signing him to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal.

The focus for Stefanski is getting the Falcons back on track. He takes over a franchise that has not made the playoffs since the 2017 season. Stefanski replaces Raheem Morris, who had a 16-18 record as the Falcons’ head coach in the last two seasons.