Shaun King Blasts Baker Mayfield For Calling Out Kevin Stefanski
January 24th, 2026
Not happy with Bucs QB.
When Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield unloaded on new Dixie Chicks coach Kevin Stefanski earlier this week for how he treated Mayfield when the two were in Cleveland, Joe thought it was great.
What better way to reenergize a division rivalry than calling out a coach with the opposing quarterback saying he looks forward to lighting him up twice a year?
And it seemed most of #NFLMedia, which includes many ex-players, also applauded Mayfield. And Joe is always about content and what better way for good content than for the starting quarterback to starting throwing digital eggs at an opposing coach. Awesome.
But one former Bucs player thought Mayfield’s blast was anything but awesome. Former Bucs quarterback Shaun King, one of only four quarterbacks in franchise history to lead the Bucs to an NFC title game, had some harsh words for Mayfield, basically saying Mayfield needs to worry about his own glass house before he starts throwing rocks at a division coach.
(Joe would normally embed the video — click here to view the video — but King used some foul language.)
King made these comments while appearing on “The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty,” featuring former JUCO coach and star of “Last Chance U,” Jason Brown, and former Ball State lineman Darnell Smith. King is a regular guest on the show.
“We just lost eight of our last nine games,” King said — the Bucs actually lost only seven of their last nine games. “Let’s not get carried away, Baker has been deaf, dumb and stupid ever since he thought he was on the MVP hunt after Week 4 or 5.”
Despite this harsh blowback towards the current Bucs starting quarterback, King claims he’s a Mayfield fan. He just didn’t like Mayfield calling out Stefanski out of the blue on Twitter.
“And I’m a Baker fan,” King said. “You’ve heard me say ‘In Baker we trust’ all the time.
“Baker, you need to get it together, dog. … We just lost [seven] of nine games, Baker!”
So it seems King is of the mind Mayfield should be more focused on getting his play back on track before Mayfield calls out opposing coaches.
The difference here is, Mayfield has a history with Stefanski. But Joe gets what King is saying: Worry about improving yourself and raising your own game in order to win games, including when the Bucs play Stefanski and the Dixie Chicks.
Still, Joe thought Mayfield’s blast at Stefanski was pretty cool. Whether that comes back to bite the Bucs and Mayfield in the arse remains to be seen.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:07 am
Maybe we should listen to Shaun King, he knows a thing or two about attitude-laden, underwhelming, skillsets.
In Baker we trust.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:24 am
White Tiger makes a great point.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:46 am
In Baker we trust to be careless with the football? I’ve never been a fan because of his decision making. Injuries caused those terrible INT’s?
He was starting to win me over this year and then he fell off a cliff. Perhaps he did start buying into his own hype too much. No way he gets an extension with the 27 QB draft class
January 24th, 2026 at 12:58 am
Who really cares what Shaun “King of the Buffet” says about ANYTHING?
January 24th, 2026 at 1:10 am
I am a Baker fan, but lets be real, King nailed it. Its one thing to say something when you are ballin, but the Bake show was not the same at all from the Detroit game until the rest of the season with one of the worst percentages in the league with a CLEAN pocket.
Put up or shut definitely works here Baker.
Again I am a Baker fan, but lets keep it real.
Hope Bake and the Bucs excell next year!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 24th, 2026 at 1:12 am
Joe does.
January 24th, 2026 at 1:17 am
It’s up to the Head Coach to right the ship. Baker was throwing picks but how many games came down to one score where our defense couldn’t stop the worst teams in the league. Sean King also said that it’s good we kept Todd Bowles. The problem is the head coach not the quarterback. It’s obvious Stefanski was part of Baker’s exit. He fell in love with DeShawn Watson, and that’s his stupidity. Baker has every right to sound off on his ex head coach who gave up on him in favor of a massage groping worthless teammate.
January 24th, 2026 at 2:07 am
“ it is to a man’s honor to overlook an offense”’…think I read that somewhere..
January 24th, 2026 at 2:30 am
Now that Robinson is the OC, we have a chance to get Kyle Pitts in free agency!
January 24th, 2026 at 3:29 am
“Who really cares what Shaun “king of the buffet” says?” Joe does. And maybe Shaun Kings mamma. And that would about be it I reckon.
January 24th, 2026 at 3:40 am
Kyle Pitts will likely never see free agency. The Falcons will franchise tag him if it gets to that point. That will make it possible to lure other Falcon free agents, though, like Kaden Ellis and Tyler Allgeier.
January 24th, 2026 at 4:35 am
Love Shaun! And also love “Last Chance U.”
Hopefully, Baker’s words don’t come back to haunt us. But I don’t blame him. Stefanski ghosted him after, let him out to dry. Not right at all, especially for a coach.
January 24th, 2026 at 5:36 am
Joe according to Wikipedia his Career NFL statistics
TD–INT 27–24
Yards 4,566
Passer rating 73.4
Stats at Pro Football Reference
His numbers say it all for me, he was a never was been.
January 24th, 2026 at 5:53 am
August 1976 Buc Says:
January 24th, 2026 at 1:10 am
I am a Baker fan, but lets be real, King nailed it. Its one thing to say something when you are ballin, but the Bake show was not the same at all from the Detroit game until the rest of the season with one of the worst percentages in the league with a CLEAN pocket.
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Clean pocket? Who are you kidding with this stuff? Third string OG’s don’t provide clean pockets. Good thing we have the tape on these guys. You can’t come on this site and just say outrageoeus, untrue nonsense.
January 24th, 2026 at 6:12 am
What Scotty said–We need to sign 1 ILB FA, and draft 1 ILB. As far as the FA part goes, I really like Kaden Ellis. Nakobe Dean would be acceptable also
January 24th, 2026 at 6:33 am
If anyone actually watches the Bucs and Mayfield that’s just who he is. Throw political correctness out the window. There needs to be more Mayfield’s in the world and less keyboard warriors.
January 24th, 2026 at 6:40 am
Sean is a fatheaded joke…nobody cares about him and his stupid opinions…def dont matter to me.
January 24th, 2026 at 6:47 am
Is this JBF … or the Shaun King Show… every other article is about what he thinks
January 24th, 2026 at 6:55 am
It’s just Baker – the guy plays better with a chip on his shoulder.
He’s building his own dragon to slay.
January 24th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Shaun’s point is valid, but Baker’s comments are good for generating a little “juice” for the upcoming games between two teams with frustrated/checked out fan bases that need something to get them energized over when their respective teams play each other. I mean take out the Mayfield-Stefanski drama and all you have left is “Zac Robinson will be calling offensive plays against his former team!” Does that really drastically move the needle of enthusiasm for anyone?
January 24th, 2026 at 7:03 am
I agree with King. Wasn’t like Baker just lit it up for the season. We lost a couple games due to Baker’s INTs in the final weeks. How about playing great ball, THEN talking trash. Been my issue with Baker…..makes a great run 1Q/2Q maybe even 3Q, gets in DB face like he’s a bad azz….only to then have the DB pick him off in 4Q to seal the game.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:07 am
I think “one of only four qbs to lead the Bucs to an NFC Championship game” is quite a stretch.
Perhaps “One of the worst starting qbs in league history ever to be carried to a conference Championship game by his defense” is a bit more accurate.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Great Googly Moogly …why is King worried about Mayfield and what he says or does or X’s or what used to be called Tweeting….. Why doesn’t he call out the Bucs for doing absolutely nothing about the Bowles’ led defense, which was absolutely useless in the second half in the season and sort of useless in the first half, it was cloaked by a decent offense!!!
SMH
January 24th, 2026 at 7:26 am
🥱🥱🥱🥱
If only that ball to Bert Emmanuel was a catch…
If it wasn’t the occasional reference to SK I wouldn’t know he was still around
January 24th, 2026 at 7:33 am
I, for one, cannot get enough of our former franchise QB. Keep it coming, Shaun!! Yes, this is sarcasm. . .
January 24th, 2026 at 7:47 am
Shaun King? Lmao if he had the gall that Mayfield has maybe he would have lead us 2 a super bowl. Criticizing Mayfield as a QB like he understands how an offense functions is amazingly funny 2 me. Without looking at the stats I’m 95 percent sure that Mayfield has already surpassed SK in career yards tds and completion percentage let alone any seasonal stats 4 the bucs. U may be a fan SK of the Bucs but it’s only because we r the only team u ever started 4 that anybody recognizes u 4. Go reevaluate urself cuz u don’t kno how 2 play QB.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:48 am
2-7 to finish the season
Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of performance incentives left on the table.
Wife and kids at home
Apparently no surgeries, meaning he wasn’t injured he was just hurt like 98% of the league after October.
Stick to the deodorant ads, maybe get BA to get Brady on the horn so you can link Alex Guerrero a call/visit work on your feet and touch passes.
It’s been 5 years my boy, let it go lol you’re not a victim anymore
January 24th, 2026 at 7:50 am
why exactly is anyone listening to Shaun King? All these former players trying to squeeze into a slot at the pod cast pig trough are starting to irritate me. Maybe he, Booger McFarland, Ian Beckles, and McCoy should start a podcast called “Nobody Cares stfu”. Not everyone gets to do that.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Shaun King, the unflushable turd that keeps popping back up on this site.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:51 am
“If only that ball to Bert Emmanuel was a catch…“
NFL said “my bad y’all, he caught it, but uh…”
We would’ve spanked the Titans in the SB
January 24th, 2026 at 7:54 am
He went 6 games with 0 tds in the only season he started all 16 games. Credibility doesn’t exist. The audacity.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:58 am
The defense will let us down before Baker.
The defense will RINSE AND REPEAT IN 2026.
January 24th, 2026 at 7:58 am
Baker’s fuel are the chips on his shoulders. He “knows thyself”. However he needs to manifest said fuel, go for it.
January 24th, 2026 at 8:07 am
Are comments important from King? No.
January 24th, 2026 at 8:08 am
baker, is trash! He said it himself, not only is he hurt now, he’s a whining little baby, that has his wife fighting for him…. & you guys love him!!! No wonder we didn’t make the playoffs, and never will with this leprechaun……..
January 24th, 2026 at 8:13 am
This message from Shaun King is sponsored by Duff’s Buffet in Clearwater.
January 24th, 2026 at 8:21 am
I know Shaun, he’s a good guy but couldn’t disagree more.
Bakes chip on his shoulder makes him, him.
Good for him calling out the dirty birds new coach; it’s good for the rivalry, it’s good for football.
It’s called entertainment and boy Baker can entertain.
January 24th, 2026 at 8:28 am
“He just didn’t like Mayfield calling out Stefanski out of the blue on Twitter.”
Never happened.
I would have agreed if it were out of the blue but he was responding to a shot taken at him from atlanta media. Thats not how “out of the blue” is defined
January 24th, 2026 at 8:54 am
“This message from Shaun King is sponsored by Duff’s Buffet in Clearwater.”
LOL!
I actually like Duff’s.
January 24th, 2026 at 9:05 am
“Boge Says:
January 24th, 2026 at 12:46 am
In Baker we trust to be careless with the football? I’ve never been a fan because of his decision making. Injuries caused those terrible INT’s?
He was starting to win me over this year and then he fell off a cliff. Perhaps he did start buying into his own hype too much. No way he gets an extension with the 27 QB draft class”
…………………………………………
11 picks on 543 attempts (TWO of which were Otton having ball ripped out of his hands) and 3 lost fumbles
January 24th, 2026 at 9:24 am
It’s weird how the Buccaneers and the sports media have been able to turn the focus of the team on the offense and the deficiencies of the offense i.e. Baker. No discussion regarding the defense unreal.
January 24th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Bet we beat them both times this year. That’s all that matters.
King had a great career in his grasp and blew it by getting lazy after a good season. I question his qualifications.
That said, he has a right to speak his mind…and if all of f you really didn’t care what he says, you wouldn’t have commented.
January 24th, 2026 at 9:46 am
king was the biggest failure in bucs history
January 24th, 2026 at 9:50 am
king led the most wasted defensive performance in the history of the playoffs
January 24th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Baker is uber competitive and has probably been that way for a very long time. That competitive nature is probably rooted in being doubted from a very young age. Look at his Freshman year photos/film while at Texas Tech. He looks like a little boy. He’s never been the prototype and obviously never will. He’s always had to fight harder than the average guy to even get a chance to see the field. But once he does get a chance he’s always been better than the other guy, in college and the pros. Had to Beat out Sam Darnold in Carolina and Trask in Tampa, even though he had accomplished so much more than either at that point in their careers. He will always be doubted. It’s futile to defend him using statistics or extenuating circumstances especially to the ignorant, narrow minded Baker haters on this site. As for Shaun King, he’s another guy that doesn’t look like a prototype. The only difference is that he wasn’t 10% the quarterback Baker is, so he’s just jealous.
January 24th, 2026 at 10:24 am
So Shawn King wants to bring up the last eight games Baker was just saying when he got let go the head coach never even reached out to him. How about Sean King mind his own damn business
January 24th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Joe you got issue’s?
January 24th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Baker is not a franchise quarterback and that’s why Cleveland got rid of him and the second half of the season showed y’all why he’s out of Cleveland and on his 4th team. All that talk he does he can’t back it up. Even one of the Joe’s is getting tired of him and his talk but chokes in big games and big moments. Baker can’t fool every body with all that talk he talks a good game but he can’t back it up. Baker is 2-4 against the falcons and he’s 1-9 in prime time games. He need to shut up and stop turning over the ball late in 4th quarters but it’s funny how people and the meadi loves when he act like this and never won nothing. But if Shadure Sanders would have said this he would be called selfish and entitled lol 🤣🤣
January 24th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Shaun King never led anyone anywhere. Shaun King was just along for the ride. Baker Mayfield has a right to his opinion on how he was treated. King can’t hold Baker’s jockstrap. King can go hang for all I care. He stunk in his performance as a player, and he stinks now.
January 24th, 2026 at 10:49 am
I’m so tired of reading articles about what Shaun King has to say.
January 24th, 2026 at 10:50 am
King trying to be relevant. Why anything he says is worthy of print is beyond me. Regardless of Baker’s injuries and his play down the stretch (he had no Oline), Baker is entitled to voice his opinion on how he was treated in Cleveland.
January 24th, 2026 at 10:50 am
It’s so apparent some of these comments are emotional based from black quarterbacks OPINION. Baker does wine I’ve seen him countless times try to initiate fights in the game and when you loose 7 of your last 9 games with an overall record of 27-24 with the Bucs yeah you should be focused on playing better not some coach you played for 5 years ago get they traded your ass get over it
January 24th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Suck it Oneilbuc . You are the weakest link.
January 24th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Agree totally Rob.
January 24th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Shaun King running Anti-Baker BS to take the focus away from the real problem. Todd Bowles. King was a gnat on the ass of one of the best defenses ever, just along for the ride. If he was half the quarterback Baker was, he would’ve won multiple Super Bowls with the Bucs.
January 24th, 2026 at 11:49 am
S. King is a POS.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
During Shaun Kings second year, I took my dad’s Tulane jersey to get signed.
Shaun King was so arrogant and rude.
I’ll never forget his snobby face.
I was a sweet 16 year old trying to do something nice for my dad.
Shaun went undefeated his final year at Tulane. We actually went to the Bowl game.
Anyway, Shaun King is not a kind hearted person.
He failed in the NFL because he was arrogant.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
What Baker said was minor. Not sure why Shaun would even bring it up. Not sure why im even commenting on it either
January 24th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
So? King played the game. Even rarer, King started an NFC title game. Joe never did (and Joe is guessing neither did you).
Take some time to dig up Bill Belicheat’s NFL stats. Or Nick Saban’s. Or Curt Cignetti’s. Or Bill Walsh’s. Or Sean McVay’s. Or Bruce Arians’ NFL stats.
Are you going to suggest those guys don’t know football? But by your standard, you wouldn’t let those guys near a Pee Wee team.
Hey, Todd Bowles started for a Super Bowl winner. Uh, oh!
Joe always has and always will put stock and respect what those who have played the game at the highest level of football (NFL) have to say about the game.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Yeah Oneilbuc, that’s why all the coaches want to go there, the browns really know how to identify a franchise quarterback. The only one one they had, Baker, they dumped like a piece of garbage! I read that they have prospective candidates for the job write essays and are given homework to complete for a follow up interview.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Which might be why candidates are dropping out of consideration for that job.
January 24th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
bucnjim Says:
January 24th, 2026 at 6:33 am
If anyone actually watches the Bucs and Mayfield that’s just who he is. Throw political correctness out the window. There needs to be more Mayfield’s in the world and less keyboard warriors.
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That being the case, we need to have a backup quarterback who can play when Baker is hurt. Baker hurts the team when he plays injured. Perhaps Zac will bring Kyle back.
January 24th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Oxycondomns Says:
January 24th, 2026 at 9:46 am
king was the biggest failure in bucs history
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Really? When did you start following the Bucs?
January 24th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Who cares what that far loser says.
January 24th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Yeah, most everyone on here was BASHING old RWhite for his ‘mild’ comments saying mostly NOTHING, while yucking it up with his ‘buddies’ on a freaking PODCAST. Then, applauding BAKER… Our “Starting QB” talking a buncha SMACK towards a divisional opponent’s head coach. They said, “oh, he’s screwed over his chances of getting a future contract with other teams now, and has cost himself A LOT of cash, & etc.” BS. So, what about BAKER!? Do YOU really think another team is going to GAF about what a ‘RUNNING BACK’ said on an off-season PODCAST (which was nothing, and he tried holding back A LOT)!?
On the other hand, you’re talking about a “STARTING QUARTERBACK” (hell, any QB as far as that goes). And, THAT is why Shaun King, himself a QB, is saying exactly what he is saying! Because, HE KNOWS as a former LEADER of a team.
It’s just two entirely different situations that are not even comparable. Defensive Players, Diva WR’s, and RB’s can all get away with it! “Quarterbacks” though, CANNOT. And, they already KNOW THIS. Baker knows this too, BUT HE allowed HIS ‘emotions’ to takeover. It’s NOT what you want, or should expect from your “Franchise QB.” No Coach Wants That. And, if YOU don’t think it’ll hurt Baker’s future free agency contract negotiations, then YOU DON’T know WTF you’re talking about, and are completely incapable of ‘thinking’ for yourself. And, one more thing… You sure as hell won’t see Sam Darnold or Mathew Stafford behaving this way! That is because they are ADULTS, and are way too busy WINNING. Period. End of Story.
January 24th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Baker has thrown more tds in one year then fat jelly King has in his 6 year career, stop talking about the bum King.
January 24th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
So much Baker hate – be careful what you wish for goobs – smdh
Low IQ fanbase that tracks with the education level of the area.
January 24th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
@ buccintimeforchanges – it’s called FACTS. Not “Baker Hate.” But you truthfully, already knew that. And, that is why you couldn’t dispute a single thing that I said. If you know anything at all about Football, then you know what I said is 💯 TRUE. Not one single GM or Coach would dispute that. Period.
January 24th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Wow, King has totally been reading my comments – almost word for word dismantling of the Baker Boi(s).
With that said, I don’t have any issue with Baker talking about Stefanski – this is the entertainment business, and it’s entertaining. I’m also just glad it didn’t happen during the season, since Baker ALWAYS plays like trash after he runs his mouth and tells everyone how great he is. ALWAYS! Hopefully with it being in the offseason, he’ll have enough time to get it out of his system.
But man, King is saying what needs to be said. Baker lost 7 of 9, mostly played like complete trash in that stretch, single handedly lost 4 games in a row that cost the Bucs the playoffs – the idea he’s still out telling people how great he is, it’s baffling.
January 24th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
I haven’t heard Baker saying anything about how great he is. Since becoming a Buc he’s kept his mouth under control for the most part. The remarks regarding Brady were ill advised and even though these remarks directed at Stefanski were also ill advised, they were pretty benign. He’s been under control as it relates to media interaction and seems to get along with everyone in the media both National media and local. Also very proactive and genuine in community engagement. So I think he’s definitely matured and has successfully redeemed his career. Hopefully he’ll continue on this path. He is the Bucs Man of the Year nominee. That’s a good thing!
January 24th, 2026 at 11:47 pm
Shaun “the Yawn” King threw for more yards and tds in the NFL than any of you fangirls so his opinion is valid here. Guys like Baker with a Napoleonic complex always feel the need to over compensate in all they do so they create the very mountains they have to climb every season. His poor little feelings are still hurt after 5 years along with all his followers. Get over it and start playing CONSISTENTLY every game like fangirls try to twist stats and compare him to the greats to make him look greater than he really has been. He’s no spring chicken so he needs to be smarter and protect himself, and he needs to be less streaky playing great at times then like trash for a period of time or completely disappearing in halfs of games. I will never forget the 2023 season where he did not lead one opening drive td, not a pass, run or sneak and Buc fans had to read the incessant babble and excuses from the Baker Glee Club. You came here making excuses for him in Cleveland so stop with them here. Hold him accountable for his poor play
January 25th, 2026 at 12:00 am
Why is Joe talking about Shaun so much. Does he have a deal with the site!? Who cares what he thinks.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:02 am
I almost care as little about what he thinks as a do Rod “Johnny One Note” Munch. And that’s saying something.
January 25th, 2026 at 2:30 am
Hugh Glazerhouse Says:
January 25th, 2026 at 12:02 am
I almost care as little about what he thinks as a do Rod “Johnny One Note” Munch. And that’s saying something.
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Oh no, that hurts.
Anywho, get back to doing your bit, that was at least entertaining.