As NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero noted, the first of two 2026 matchups between the Bucs and Falcons just got a lot more attention.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had a great start to his time with the Cleveland Browns, scoring an NFL rookie-high 27 touchdowns. However, the Browns fired Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchen during and after Mayfield’s first two seasons. Stefanski was hired to guard the Browns in 2020 with Mayfield and Co. After that, it was hardly a happy relationship. Mayfield wasn’t a perfect fit for Stefanski’s offense, and he suffered a partially torn hamstring in 2021 that clearly hampered him.
As referenced in his tweet, Mayfield was traded from Cleveland to the Carolina Panthers.
Mayfield clearly took exception to the way everything played out. He also wasn’t a fan of his time with the Panthers, as highlighted when he called the Buccaneers’ 2025 win over the New York Jets “personal,” given that he came up against then-NYJ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was his interim coach in Charlotte.
Mayfield was dealing with another shoulder injury this season but has largely turned his career around in spectacular fashion. The fiery QB has made two Pro Bowls with the Bucs (2023-2024) after career campaigns.
However, Mayfield and the Bucs have lost three of their last four to the Falcons. Not to mention, Atlanta’s season-ending win over the New Orleans Saints eliminated Tampa from the playoffs.
So the first Bucs-Falcons showdown of 2026 — AKA the first Mayfield-Stefanski game — won’t lack for hype and anticipation.