Kevin Stefanski Responds To Baker Mayfield
January 28th, 2026
Old coach doesn’t fire back.
So last week Baker Mayfield unloaded on new Dixie Chicks coach Kevin Stefanski on Twitter.
Apparently, Mayfield and Stefanski are not sending each other Christmas cards. The two had a falling out of some sort when Stefanski coached Mayfield with the Browns. The relationship did not end well.
And Mayfield doesn’t forget.
So yesterday, Stefanski had his first press conference in Atlanta as the new leader of the Dixie Chicks. Rather than firing back at Mayfield for calling him out on Twitter, Stefanski played Mr. Nice Guy, as documented by Maura Carey of the Associated Press.
“Baker’s somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person,” Stefanski said. “I love rivalries in sports and obviously the Buccaneers (and) Falcons have a great rivalry. It’s something that I’m excited about, but I would not get into the specifics of those types 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.”
Damn. Joe was hoping Stefanski would make a snide comment at Mayfield or at the Bucs. Drama is good for a late-January day when the Tampa Bay region is bracing for “Gulf Effect Snow” this weekend.
So, Joe wonders if Mayfield can bottle up his anger at Stefanski for another eight months, at least?
January 28th, 2026 at 12:09 am
To bad Baker won’t get the best of that rivalry, likely losing to the Falcons as long as IBS is dragging the Bucs down to Davy Jones’s Locker!
January 28th, 2026 at 12:43 am
*YAWN
January 28th, 2026 at 1:44 am
Imagine if he would have said…yeah, Baker’s a loser. He sucked so we shipped him off. He should stop crying and get over it. Looking forward to kicking their arse twice a year. Now that would be great…
January 28th, 2026 at 2:02 am
Stefanski was part of the brain trust that made the worst deal in the history of professional sports. The Deshaun Watson trade is compelling evidence of the absurd management of the Browns. Stefanski at minimum was a quiet accomplice. Mayfield was the best thing that had happened to the resurrected Browns. Stefanski made little attempt in 2021 to protect a badly injured Baker. Mayfield last game of the 2021 season was versus Steelers. Browns played a 3rd string RT vs TJ Watt. Mayfield was hit hard at least 10 times by Watt who had 6 or 7 sacks in that game. Mayfield has every right to be bitter.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:51 am
Stefanski probably has a bigger beef with the “esteemed” AJC writer who reignited the old news. Not everyone in the ATL social media world is happy with the new hire though everyone seems glad Rah got launched.
January 28th, 2026 at 3:57 am
Given the amount of personal issues that Watson had that were known at the time, it was a big risk making that deal.
However, two caveats: 1) the owners and podesta had a large hand in orchestrating that move, 2) going by on the field production only making that move is a no brainer. Watson was playing like an mvp for two full years before he got himself into trouble. Arguably the best player in the game. If it pans out no one is talking about losing baker mayfield in Cleveland.
I’m all for baker and all of our players using whatever to help motivate them like Jordan did. But he comes off as the petty one when he takes it public. Ppl get traded and cut all the time. You’re not owed anything.
January 28th, 2026 at 4:32 am
Stefanski is getting a lot of heat from all over and doesn’t look that great as a coach coming into a new team. He can say all he wants, but he threw Baker out like nothing and then ghosted his calls. And for what? Watson lol. Why didn’t Stefanski go into the truth of how he treated Baker at the end. He didn’t respect him then. I am pro-Baker.
January 28th, 2026 at 5:36 am
@Obvious…you get the nod for the best comment on here. Even the Cleveland fans tend to forget that Watson was a stud, and Cleveland pulled the chord on the Baker experiment. Most teams wouldn’t do that, but they got a peek at Baker’s ceiling, and said we have a chance to bring a game changer in vs. technically a game manager, and the gamble thus far failed.
Baker on the other hand should have had enough news clippings last season to come up with one more win, and yes, he had a chance in more than one game with the ball in his hand, coincidentally the Falcons being the most attainable where he gets another first down in that last possession and/or doesn’t throw a pick with an 8 pt lead, most likely we win that game. But because it’s Baker, he can do no wrong, we will always fixate on the defense giving up a 3rd and 28, 4th and 14.
January 28th, 2026 at 5:44 am
Zoocomics – Respectfully, many teams backed off on Watson, and we know why. The Browns lost a lot of money on the insane contract they gave him too. And then he gave them nothing. Baker has good character. The Browns with Stefanski pretty much blew Baker off. It wasn’t an experiment, it was a real bad judgement error.
January 28th, 2026 at 5:56 am
🥱
A whole lot of nothing. Stafanski knows the Falcons own the Bucs without him so he’s not worried. If Baker was a real tough guy he would’ve made those comments AFTER beating the Falcons this upcoming season NOT after going 2-7 down the stretch with one of those losses to the Falcons.
Its sad really. He made 30+ million since he left the Browns and his feelings are still hurt how many years later? He’s SOFT.
January 28th, 2026 at 6:23 am
Days before Mayfield responded to that ATL reporter, he posted:
“Focused on the work, not the noise”
Then, proceeded to make his own noise.
It’s a tad on the itchy side
January 28th, 2026 at 7:15 am
It is called Professionalism.
January 28th, 2026 at 7:22 am
I’d rather talk about why Dean needs to go.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Stafanski probably had his hand forced by a meddling owner.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Immature, unprofessional and feelings hurt you guys are zero fun, we are also watching and cheering cave men bashing each other with helmets on settle down.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:25 am
One thing they both can agree on. Thank God we’re both out of Cleveland.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Damn. Joe was hoping Stefanski would make some sort of snide comment at Mayfield or at the Bucs.
Kevin isnt immature like baker!!!
baker needs to grow up!!!!
Rams and Panthers shipped him off too….didnt hear him say a word about those teams
GO BUCS!!!!
January 28th, 2026 at 8:59 am
@ZOO SAYS: Baker on the other hand should have had enough news clippings last season to come up with one more win, and yes, he had a chance in more than one game with the ball in his hand, coincidentally the Falcons being the most attainable where he gets another first down in that last possession and/or doesn’t throw a pick with an 8 pt lead, most likely we win that game. But because it’s Baker, he can do no wrong, we will always fixate on the defense giving up a 3rd and 28, 4th and 14.
BINGO!!!!!!
Couldnt have said it better myself!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 28th, 2026 at 9:41 am
I love that Baker has a chip on his shoulder! Guy plays better when fueled up…I mean Jordan would fabricate sleights even when none was there to get extra motivated! And of course coach didn’t say another cross word…he’s not stupid.. But if Zac and Baker get extra pumped to stick it to Falcons twice a year…all the better
January 28th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Look, your COACH is not supposed to be your friend. If you people ‘think’ that BAKER HIMSELF made it “easy” and did HIMSELF any favors while there, then you people don’t know how it works. Furthermore, it was HIS play ‘on the field’ is what did him in, in the end. He was a HUGE DISTRACTION there, in ever way imaginable. On-the-field. Off-the-field. And, inside of the locker room. It’s just FACTS. He is NOT this amazing “Team FIRST” dude, that some of you people want to fantasize about. He’s just NOT. He is always, Baker-FIRST. All the way 💯. You people need to wake up! He’s grown and changed some, but not that much. You’re not changing his stripes. With that said, after his most recent comments, in a contract year, you’ll see him start watching his (p’s and q’s) much much better, from here on out better.
They had an opportunity to land a LEGIT Top-5, MVP Candidate, GAME-CHANGER at QB (with a LOADED roster, one of the best in the LEAGUE at the time), & NO ONE faulted them for that. The only thing they did fault them for was the FULLY GUARANTEED Contract. The owner got himself in too deep, then developed’tunnel-vision’ as the the reports and allegations continued to grow. Then, Watson blew-out his friggin knees again, or whatever it was. Regardless, they were MAJOR injuries. Baker was never “owed” ANYTHING. It’s a business. HE is an employee. Period. End of Story.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:10 am
The most interesting part of the entire story, that never gets any coverage (suspiciously), is the relationship (or non ‘relationship’) of the Houston Texans GM with the Attorney for ALL of those girls. They were literally next door NEIGHBORS. It’s VERY fishy. The whole damn thing. I’m not a huge conspiracy guy, but something just never ‘smelled right’ about ANY of it. Supposedly, they never knew each another personally, but I don’t know if I’m buying all that!? Unless, any of this was ever disproven!?
January 28th, 2026 at 11:12 am
@ Zoocomics Says:
@Obvious…you get the nod for the best comment on here.
I was going to say the same thing… Nail. Head.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:18 am
@ Warren Brooks Lynch Says: “Days before Mayfield responded to that ATL reporter, he posted:
“Focused on the work, not the noise”
Then, proceeded to make his own noise.
It’s a tad on the itchy side”
It’s what he always does. It never matches. It’s about HIS ACTIONS. And, these people continue to fall for it EVERY time. They swallow it whole. Hook. Line. And, sinker. They are blinded by their undying LOVE. It’s seriously, the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in professional sports with any one (slightly above average) player. 💯
January 28th, 2026 at 11:23 am
@ Marky mark Says:”Stefanski probably had his hand forced by a meddling owner.”
Of course he did 💯. It’s not the only player or decision that was forced on him either. Just look at the ‘types’ of QB’s alone, that HE HAD TO HAVE. Johnny Football. Baker. Watson. Sanders. That’s a long HORRIBLE LIST. Just the hugest distractions you could ever have.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:48 am
It makes no sense to make negative comments about Baker Mayfield’s time in Cleveland. The new Falcons coach is ending the narrative. Put the past in the rear view mirror. End the storyline.
January 28th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Allen Lofton. You’re right. Except it won’t be ending the narrative. It’ll be writing the narrative. Stefanski is a good football coach. Baker has alot of confidence in his team or he wouldn’t have said what he said.
January 28th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
I really didn’t want to get involved with any of this nonsense, but if Stefanski “respects” Baker so much and all that.. why didn’t he just write a simple text or give him a call when Baker got fired? He could have simply wished him luck or whatever…
If I was the boss/coach, and one of my employees/players got fired. I would have at least had a face to face and checked on his well-being. I get that football is a business, but that is not how co-workers/supervisors treat each other in a business. Treat people with respect and dignity. It’s not that hard.
January 28th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Enough revisionism. At Houston, Watson’s total W-L record was 28-25; after a couple good years, his final year was 4-12. His lifetime record is 37-35. You can look it up; I just did. And people here are talking MVP! Houston didn’t want him, nor did any other team have a serous interest. Bidding against themselves, the Browns packaged a bunch of #1’s and renegotiated his old contract into the stratosphere. Please don’t tell us that, even at the time, most reasonable people thought it was a good deal for Cleveland.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
There were reasons for why Watson ever became ‘available’ to begin with. The main reasons had to do with the entire Houston Texans organization as a whole. From the Owners to the FO. I mean, there were all of these claims of racism, and all kinds of shady business going on. Watson himself, was involved heavily in a power struggle with the FO and GM at the time. BEFORE any of those ‘allegations’ started coming to light. Which made it awfully suspicious that the GM’s next door NEIGHBOR, just so happened to be THE ATTORNEY who started rounding up all these girls. Which ended up being stupid, because it caused several teams to back away. Before the next door neighbor was involved, it was only considered to be “rumors” and suspicions within the organization.
But, long story short… There were still two or three other teams competing for Watson, and willing to give-up the picks. It was a pretty intense fight, that dominated the NFL news. Until, the Cleveland owner stupidly ‘stepped-up’ and pissed-off the rest of the owners, by offering THAT 💯 FULLY GUARANTEED CONTRACT. Then, everything went completely off -the-rails, and EXPLODED. As a new ‘handful’ of girls were added daily, to the ever-growing list. Then, Watson blows out his knees again, and it becomes one of the worst trades in sports history.
At the time though, before all of this happened, EVERYONE would’ve obviously chosen Watson over Baker. It was a no-brainer… It was a LOADED roster with a strong defense, TWO STUD RB’s, and weapons at WR. Baker didn’t even have to do a whole lot, but be a game manager. And, everyone knew that, from the coaches, the FO, and the fans. Baker didn’t like that. HE wanted and felt that HE deserved more credit. He wanted be ‘that guy’ (the hero savior), but with that roster, HE didn’t need to be. I remember all of the Cleveland Fans being extremely excited, and ready to book their Super Bowl reservations.
January 28th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
I have trouble with revisionist histories composed of paranoid conspiracy theories about the Houston organization and things that should have happened but never did, like the Browns going to the Super Bowl. I am leery of mind readers with no access to Baker Mayfield’s mind, past or present. I prefer facts, such as, when all the other bidders drop out (for whatever reason), you are bidding against yourself. I will not argue whether Deshaun or Baker was better because (1) I think is a matter or honest opinion and (2) the issue is whether the difference added up to multiple first-rounders (C.J. Stroud, anyone?) and that ludicrous contract. Finally, factually, I followed the Browns, more or less closely, for decades, and the trade, at the time, among fans and writers was the most controverted I can remember Some fans were excited, yet surely not all. And I know of no one buying a Super Bowl ticket.