As noted by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the first of two 2026 matchups between the Bucs and Falcons just got a whole lot more attention.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, had a stellar start to his time with the Cleveland Browns, throwing for a then-NFL-rookie-record 27 touchdowns. However, the Browns fired Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchen during and after Mayfield’s first two seasons, respectively. Stefanski was hired to shepherd the Browns in 2020 with Mayfield and Co. advancing to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. After that it was hardly a happy union. Mayfield wasn’t a perfect fit for Stefanski’s offense and he suffered a partially torn labrum in 2021 that clearly hampered him.
As referenced in his tweet, Mayfield was shipped from Cleveland to the Carolina Panthers.
Mayfield clearly took exception to how everything played out. He wasn’t a fan of his time with the Panthers, either, as underscored when he called the Buccaneers’ 2025 win over the New York Jets “personal,” considering it came against then-NYJ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was his interim coach in Charlotte.
Mayfield was dealing with another shoulder injury this season, but for the most part has turned around his career in spectacular fashion. The fiery QB has gone to the Pro Bowl twice with the Bucs (2023-2024) after career campaigns.
Mayfield and the Bucs have lost three of their last four to the Falcons, however. 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 – will have no shortage of hype and anticipation.
